Tuesday April 23 -- Sandy's post

Today's scripture focus is: Luke 1:26-31
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Judges 13-14, Psalm 81, John 1:13

Birth of Jesus Foretold²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

MacArthur's sermon

I love reoccurring themes in the Bible.  It speaks to our own persistent failure to grasp..well..anything, and moreover, it speaks to God's infinite patience with us. It's also a repeating reminder that He keeps His promises, no matter how often we forget His power.

 
Consider these verses.  Gabriel comes to Mary and declares that God has chosen her to bear the Savior.  Her response? "How's that gonna work?!"
Remember in Genesis when God came to Abraham and Sarah and promised them a son? Laughter at the absurdity of that, is what He got in response.
When Gabriel came to Zacharias and promised him and Elizabeth a son, another "How?" came up.
"How?"
"What?!"
"WHEN?"

It speaks volumes to His patience that He doesn't just say, "Holy crap, you guys.  I AM GOD.  JUST TRUST ME."

It is so easy for us to forget His power and promises, especially when things get sticky.  But, as I said last week, HE DOES NOT FORGET.  I can imagine His people felt forgotten in the many, many years He was silent.  I'm sure they felt forgotten while oppressed under Roman rule.

But He did not forget.  He did not dally.  He came perfectly, in His time, to deliver on the ancient promise of a Savior.  And His name is Jesus. The Christ.  Our Savior.