Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Protestants tend to react to the Catholic veneration of Mary by ignoring her, for the most part, but that too is a mistake. She is a magnificent example and role model of faith, just as her relative Elizabeth recognizes here. She was an illiterate country girl, the sort of person most “movers and shakers” would totally discount, but she was chosen by God to bear His Son, and there could be no higher honor. Her initial response to Gabriel in itself showed she was special, because angels are fearsome beings. That she would respond as she did to being told she would give birth as a virgin boggles the imagination: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38) I do think that calling her the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven, and praying to her, are distinctly out of place, but at the same time, she is an absolutely magnificent role model of obedient faith. Sometimes what God does with us is nearly as mysterious as pregnancy with no sex involved, but we need to respond as Mary did, trusting God to be true to Himself and leaving the details up to Him. Frankly, I am reminded of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. It is particularly hard on his wife and children, but for him, it was a graduation to glory that probably involved minimal pain, and the long-term fallout from this will change the world. As several people have said, referencing the name of his organization, this looks to be a turning point in Bible-believing people standing up and saying, “Enough is enough.” He would have volunteered to play that role had he known of it ahead of time, and his only hesitation would have been for his wife and children.

I don’t know what God has yet in store for me, but He has given me a vision of Omura again being the foremost Christian city in Japan, and if that’s His vision, it will happen. Humanly speaking, it’s an obvious impossibility, on the order of virgin birth. However, God isn’t limited by human weakness. Like Mary, I need to believe that what God has said to me will certainly be fulfilled, just like Elizabeth said. After 44 years in Omura, I am absolutely convinced it won’t be by my wisdom and strength! However, my God is omniscient and omnipotent, and absolutely nothing is too difficult for Him. (Jeremiah 32:27)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Charlie Kirk reminds me that flowing with Your plans sometimes involves real sacrifices. Help me not hold back from anything You have planned, but keep myself totally available to You for whatever You want to do, for the sake of Your kingdom and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!