SOAP 09/18/2011; Luke 1:45

Today's reading: Ezekiel 45,46; Luke 1

S)"⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."

Luke 1:45 (NASB)

O) So, I never realized this, but when the angel, Gabriel, visits both Zacharias (father of John the Baptist) and Mary (mother of Jesus), they have a similar, but opposite reaction. Zacharias doesn't believe and is struck mute; Mary believed and Gabriel simply leaves. But then here, Elizabeth points out that Mary will be blessed for her belief. There is specific blessing in our immediate acceptance of God's word. When He speaks to us, we need to choose to believe. You'd think that if it's an angel delivering the word of the Lord, it would be easier to accept, but that's obviously not true. A life-long, faithful, blameless man of God was unable to find the faith to believe Gabriel.

A) If it's not the present circumstance (having an angel deliver the message) that will convince, it seems to me that belief of God's word comes down to a decision, really. Obviously, there is evidence to weigh, but ultimately, if the must-have-been-impressive Gabriel was not, on his own, able to convince the priest Zacharias, then I'm going to have to make a decision to believe; I'm not going to be compelled to belief. So, I will choose to believe now. Reading the Bible regularly will give me a "taste" for the truth, also. It's much easier to discern God's voice when you're accustomed to reading it.

P) Father, I'm choosing to believe You know. You know, God, if I will ever need a visit from an angel; but if I ever have that experience, LORD, I want to determine now that I will believe. Holy Spirit, continue to give me faith and the courage to believe. I will choose to obey You then, LORD, from right now. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.