I often ask the question - Do we approach our private devotional worship and our public worship as we gather as God's family, believing God? In God's way of doing things in the kingdom, believing is a definite prerequisite to receiving. In Luke 1:45 we see that principle at work . . . "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." God spoke to Mary assuring her that He would be with her in what seemed to be an impossible situation. He had everything in place to act. But, first she had to believe Him. It takes a pure and undivided heart to believe God under the kind of circumstances in which Mary found herself.
It has always been this way as God works with His people. Mary could not see how God's plan was unfolding in the courts of heaven. She could not see the hosts of angels preparing to protect her and the baby. She had no idea of the future planned. She only knew that God had spoken to her and that was enough. Her response: "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be according to your Word" (Luke 1:38).
When God speaks through His Word and Spirit about His plan, He does it with everything already in place to fulfill His Word. All He asks of us is to believe and act on that belief in what He has spoken. It is possible for us to experience great blessings and His glory when we simply trust Him wholly. Mary could not have imagined the results of her faithful obedience. Likewise we have no idea what He has in store for us when we believe. He knows when and where He will bring salvation to those we pray for. He knows how He will heal the friend that we dare to "stand in the gap" for. He knows how He will provide our every need and the needs of those we pray for. He knows how He will show his glory when we faithfully believe. He has everything in place. All we have to do - - is - - believe. He came among us - so we could believe and receive. Hallelujah! What a Savior. mjm
