Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

This verse has always grabbed me, because it is so true. In Japanese it is even stronger than in English, because it specifies “fully believed” and “absolutely happen.” Elizabeth had some personal experience in this area, because at the point she said this, her husband was mute because he had been unable to fully believe his angelic announcement! God used Zechariah’s imperfect faith to prompt his wife to make a statement that would bless and encourage countless people. This is a beautiful example of how God uses even our weak­nesses and failures for good. This is perhaps one of the areas in which we have the most trouble believing God really is omnipotent. We tend to think our failures are more powerful than God! However, it doesn’t take very much Bible study to find example after example of God using human weakness, and even outright sin, to accomplish wonderful things. This is so prevalent that Paul had to make it clear that this isn’t an excuse for sin! (Romans 5:20- 6:2) We fail to accept that our failure is no match for God’s grace. It is indeed a blessed thing when someone can look past themselves and the difficulties, even seeming impossibilities, of a situation and trust God to be true to His character and His Word.

Even raised in a faith-filled environment as I was, I still have diffi-culty fully trusting God at times, so I should certainly understand and be gracious toward those around me who are struggling in this area. It’s always so much easier to recognize in someone else! I am to seek to impart faith by my every word and action: not some pie in the sky wishful thinking but an assurance that God is who He says He is. At the same time, I must remember that faith is a gift from God, and not something we work up ourselves. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Accordingly, my major effort is to be in prayer. Trying to get it done in my own strength is an exercise in futility, as well as being quite ironic, when the whole subject is trusting and depending on God!

Father, You know the examples that come to my mind as I write this. Help me trust You enough not to be horribly disappointed when they fail to follow through as I believe they should. Help me remember that they are Your spiritual children before they are mine, and trust that You know how to take care of them. At the same time, keep me available to You for however You want to use me to draw them closer to You, whether that’s by word or action toward them, or by prayer alone. May we grow to be a body of believers indeed, for all the blessings that means, and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!