Bread Crumbs – Devotions for Life

The Blessing of Belief

Luke 1:45

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment 

of those things which were told her from the Lord.””  

(NKJV)

Consumer confidence is in the tank!  The stock market can’t get out of its funk!  People are hesitant to spend, even if they have the funds!

The current phase of economic doubt is causing a downward spiral that is affecting all of us.  Someone said that the best solution was for everyone to spend their money to bolster the economy and reverse the downturn.

The doubters scoffed and are holding sway.

Doubt never blesses!  Being in limbo wondering if something is true, is never fun.  Lack of trust, confidence, or faith is never a positive.

Mary was blessed because she believed God would keep His Word and fulfill His promises.  In Isaiah 55:11, God promises, “My word … will accomplish what I desire.”  Mary knew this!

This is faith!  Not mere belief in God, but belief that He will keep His Word, fulfill His promises!

In Luke 1:45 the Greek word for fulfillment, tĕlĕiōsis, is the key word in the text.  Mary had confidence in God, in Gabriel’s message.  She knew she could trust the promise, that she could act on the promise.

In Hebrews 11:1 we are taught, “Faith is being … certain of what we do not see.”

All of us are men and women of faith!

Without faith we would not be able to function.  If I did not have faith in the brakes on my car, I would not use the accelerator.

This issue of faith is not whether we have faith, but in what/whom have we placed our faith!

Mary’s faith is in God’s Word, His promises, His power, His love, His ability.  She was blessed because of her faith.

Her faith gave her the ability to sing her Magnificat of Praise to God.  Most of the miserable people I see lack faith.

Prayer:  Faithful Lord,  forgive me when I wallow in the misery of doubt, of half-hearted faith.  Please give the gift of faith in You and Your Word, so I can sing as Mary sings in Luke 1:46-55.  Amen.