One-Liner

Author: Mary Beth Shumpert

Luke 1:42-45  "In a loud voice she (Elizabeth) exclaimed…" This passage is a proclamation, something to be excited about, something to be noticed and remembered by all who read this account of our Lord and Savior's birth.  

We probably all remember the first part of what Elizabeth said to Mary. She calls Mary "blessed" and expresses her humility that Mary has chosen to share this news with her. She tells Mary that her unborn baby "leaped for joy" at the news of Jesus…but then there's a one-liner that is the heartbeat of Christianity.  You may have missed it. (I know I did for years.)   Are you ready for it? 

 

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

 

Wow!  What a statement of faith- the ultimate "one-liner"! Mary had just been told she was pregnant.  She certainly hadn't seen Jesus; they didn't have ultrasounds back then.  Based on my experience, she probably didn't even feel pregnant yet.  Yet, she believed what the Lord had said would be accomplished.   

 If you look at that phrase, even our very salvation rests in that, for "It is by faith we are saved!"  The most important and fundamental question to ask yourself is, do you really believe that what the Lord said, will be accomplished?  Do you believe that Jesus was born of a Virgin through the Holy Spirit to die for our sins, and was raised from the dead so that we can have eternal life?  Do you believe that you will receive the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus? 

Faith can be hard. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see! I pray that anyone wrestling with the reality of that today, will find the faith to be saved and received Jesus as their Savior and Lord!

For those of us who have already accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we're called to increase our faith. Once we accept Christ as our Savior, we are a new creation.  The Holy Spirit lives in us!  God is literally with us!  We too are blessed! God wants us to know Him, speak to Him, and He will speak to us!  "Call to me and I will answer you…" Jeremiah 33:3.  

What is the Lord saying to you?  What has He told you He will accomplish through your life?  If you don't know, I challenge you to take the time to seek Him out through prayer and the reading of His word.  Then, once you know what God is saying, believe it will be accomplished!

Just thinking back to Mary, she believed what God said would be accomplished…even though by all human accounts it was impossible, inconvenient, and impractical.  She had faith.  She believed God's character.  She trusted His plan.  She embraced His purposes.

"Blessed is (your name here) who has believed that what the Lord has said to her/him will be accomplished."

Now, that sounds like a New Year's resolution in the making! 

 

 

Mary Beth Shumpert