Luke 1:49 “for the Mighty One has done great things for me–
holy is his name.”

Now this is faith. Mary was a single girl in a society that had extreme prohibitions on premarital sex, and God had caused her to be pregnant. Even so, she didn’t say, “God did this to me,” but “God did this for me.” The current President of the US has referred to girls being “punished” with a child, but Mary didn’t see it that way, even though she risked being stoned. World population growth has some today seeing mankind as a plague upon the earth, but the Bible never looks at it that way. Advances in food production, as well as responsible stewardship of the earth, are certainly called for, but considering children punishment, or even a curse, is definitely not from God. There are many answers we don’t have, but the key to getting the answers we need is looking to God and thanking Him for what we have. Once again, Mary is our example in faith.

I find I get pretty emotional in my reactions to the many lies that are proclaimed as truth, but that is generally just wasting energy. I need to choose to trust God regardless of what is being thrown at me, giving Him thanks and praise in the middle of it all. Recent studies have shown conclusively that people of faith are far happier, and even healthier, than those who pursue a humanistic agenda. Having written that, I realize the irony of calling “humanistic” an ideology that demonstrates an active hatred of humanity! I need to remember where such thinking comes from, and seek to rescue people from the devil’s snares, one person at a time. Actually, if God brings them in in groups I certainly won’t complain, but I am to be faithful on the individual level. It is when I radiate the fruit of the Spirit that people are drawn to desire it for themselves, and so move from rebellion to faith, from darkness to light.

Father, thank You for this reminder. The “documentary” last night on TV was certainly a piece of highly biased propaganda, and there’s a lot of that out there. Help me walk in Your peace, not being surprised at the lies but standing firm against them, so that like Mary I may be fully available for all You want to do in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!