A Blessed Woman

`Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”  Luke 1:45 (NIV)

Mysterious and wonderful things are happening in the lives of these two women of Luke´s story.  Mary goes to visit Elizabeth her relative in the mountains.  When she goes into the house and greets the mother of John the Baptist, the baby leaps within the older ladies womb.  Spirit fills her in turn and she calls down blessings upon the young pregnant Mary.  She exclaims how incredibly great it is that the mother of her Lord has come to visit her!  Then she says that Mary is especially favored among women because of the Child she will bear.  These are great blessings.  But what is the reason she gives that Mary is so blessed?  Is it merely because she found favor in the Lord´s sight?  Or does she say it is because Mary believed?  Would that simple faith be the important factor in her witnessing the mighty work of the Lord in her life?

The blessing states that what the Lord has promised will surely be accomplished.  Are God´s promises sure?  Would an all-powerful God be good for His Word?  Should an almighty and all-knowing God be taken for what He relays to His people?  Could we set our hope on things our Creator would have us know?  Are His promises positive and of good will?  Even if it may seem impossible for us, do we think that God can actually bring to pass the things He promises us?  Has He proven true in History?  Do the stories in the Old Testament give us any hope that He is true to His Word?  Would the expression of Love that He gave when He sent us His Son Jesus Christ be further proof?

Would it be safe to say that Mary the mother of Jesus Christ was truly a blessed woman?  Does it warm our hearts to think that the most endearing quality God found in her was her trust in Him?  Would it make sense to think that if we would like to see God work in powerful ways, that we should set a little faith in Him?  If we could believe even a little that He is good and can do what He says, do we think that He will be please to demonstrate to us His power and love?  Is this what God saw in Mary?  Was it a strong and determined faith that the Father found in the heart of Mary which moved Him to bless her so?  Would we too like to feel some of that favor from above?  Is there a part of us which would like to know whether we find favor in the eyes of our Creator?  Could we seek to be filled with some of that kind of faith?  Could we afford to let our hopes rise up in Him?  Could we stand to be pleasing to Him?  Would that be what He is looking for in us?  Is He waiting to see a spark of trust within us?  Would He leap up to demonstrate His good will and favor towards us, if we did exercise a little faith?

Dear Father in Heaven, we sense that there are things we do not understand.  But we look towards You today.  There is a part of us which would like to find favor in Your eyes.  Please enable us to turn our attention and our hearts sufficiently to You.  These times we live in are busy and would not let us have much time to devote.  But if our efforts are small at least make them genuine.   Please see the sincerity inside us as we turn from our busy lives to look to You.  As we sense this spark of hope we find in You, fill us and prepare us for more.  Then as it pleases You, we would like to press forward in faith.  We would like to please You with our trust so You may in turn bless us too.

Amen