Doing Whatever God Says

The angel Gabriel made two life-changing announcements six months apart. In each case he told the people to whom he appeared that God was about to do something impossible in their lives. To the aged priest Zacharias, Gabriel announced the birth of a son to two people who should not have been able to have children. To the young girl Mary, Gabriel announced that she would bear the Son of God even though she was a virgin. The contrast in their responses is remarkable.

The priest, who had served God faithfully for years, did not believe the news he received. He asked for a sign and as a result was unable to speak until after John was born. On the other hand, as soon as Mary was told what God had in store for her, she accepted and believed it. She wanted whatever God said to be the course for her life.

So many times we are more like Zacharias than Mary. Rather than simply accepting what God says and wanting to be part of His plan, we insist on understanding all the details and doubt that God really can do what He said. We want to make sure things make sense to us before obeying what the Bible tells us. Instead we need to be yielded to the Lord, considering ourselves to be His servants, and do whatever He wants us to do.

Today’s Discipleship Principle: How we react when God calls us to do difficult things reveals the strength of our faith.