Could you imagine being visited by the angel Gabriel? Let alone a message from God? What do you think your reaction would be? Mary responded with surprise. Then she moved to steadfast confidence in God’s ability to do anything, no matter how improbable.
How do you deal with doubt? How do you choose to believe? Let’s read 1 Peter 5:9. It says, “Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.” Scripture tells us the qualities we need to have to stand firm in faith: rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined. How do we ever live up to this list of daunting character traits? God provides the strength we need to stand in faith.
We live in a fallen world where evil forces attack us all day long. We must pray for provision, determined to guard our hearts. As our enemy attacks us, we must know that we have a Savior named Jesus, who promises to be the anchor in our storms and the rock on which we stand. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Mary, a young, single woman, engaged to be married, coming to find out she will be pregnant. Of course, she was afraid! Even when she said “Yes” to God. She had no idea what was to come, what things would look like. What she did know was that God would provide her strength. Fear tries to steal us away from our faith. It attacks our confidence in God. When we are afraid of the unknown, we are struggling to trust in God.
We all battle with fear. Pray that God will reveal what you are fearing and where you are not trusting God. God is watchfully and affectionately cares for you. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection]. If you need to memorize this verse, take hope this season that God is with you always.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for always providing for us. Thank you that we can trust you. Thank you for your love that is wiping out fear. God, please reveal the fear that we have in our lives and trust you more than the fear.
In Jesus Name
Amen
