Luke 1:45 “And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
Promised and Performed
It is amazing how micro differences can make a major difference! For instance, two similar businesses are started, but one succeeds and one fails. Race teams can field similar cars, but one is a championship contender and the other fails to finish the race. The smallest differences can be very significant!
In Luke chapter one, an angel announced good news to both Zacharias and to Mary. While the messages of a coming child were similar to both, their responses were quite different. Zacharias replied to the news that he would have a son in his old age by saying, “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is well stricken in years.” Because of his unbelief, Zacharias was unable to speak until his son was born.
When Gabriel, the same angel that spoke to Zacharias, told Mary that she would bear God’s Son, she answered, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” Both Mary and Zacharias seemed to have the same question to Gabriel’s announcement, but Zacharias asked, “How shall I know . . . ?” while Mary asked, “How shall this be . . . ?”
Mary was not doubting that God could; she was simply asking how God would. Zacharias, on the other hand, doubted that God could. There is a subtle but profound difference! Zacharias demanded a sign; Mary accepted a promise.
We should put more weight on the One who speaks than the signs He gives. What God has promised, He will perform. If your question is tied to something that God has promised in His Word, don’t demand a sign. God will perform what He promised “in due season.” Take courage and have confidence in what God has said!