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LIGHTING THE WAY
Advent Part IV
Luke 1:26-38
Delivering His Word
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Mary was troubled by the words of the angel Gabriel. She wasn't sure what to make of such a bold greeting. The words were a beautiful blessing, but they also carried the weight of one who had been handpicked by God for a special purpose. We are reminded of Gideon, who was hiding out in a winepress when the angel of the Lord greeted him, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior!" (Judges 6:12). Both were servants of the Most High God who were chosen for a task (that they felt ill-equipped for) that would save their people.
Somewhere in the process of the words falling from the heavenly realms until they take root in the heart of the chosen one, a fearful servant questions: "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that You have brought me this far?" (2 Samuel 7:18b); but is then emboldened to volunteer: "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8b). There are times when the Lord calls us to do things we don't understand, but like Mary, Joseph, Gideon, and countless others, God is simply looking for a willing and available vessel. Remember, He chose you because He knew you'd say "Yes!" We can go forward, with confidence, knowing the One Who called us will accomplish what He has asked us to do because, "The joy of the LORD is your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:10b).
The final cup of the Passover feast - the Cup of Praise - is a symbol for the Israelites of their being set free from oppression. Their freedom came out of obedience to the Lord as they waited patiently, and prepared expectantly, for their release from bondage in Egypt. The praises of the Lord should be continually on our lips as we diligently go about the work we have been called to do. Even though we may endure hardship and difficulty in the labor - joy will spring forth from our obedience. This cup of praise is the one cup that will remain until that great Wedding Feast when all our labor will be shown to not have been in vain: "For I tell you, I will not eat again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God" (Luke 22:16).
As we reflect on the miracle of Jesus' birth, we must remember that our trials will come to an end, while our joy will last for a lifetime: "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. I tell you the truth, My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and you joy will be complete" (John 16:21-24).
As we light the fourth candle of Advent, the Angel's candle, we rejoice with the angels over the announcement of our Savior's birth! God ended 400 years of silence by uttering the most beautiful word every spoken - Jesus Christ! Today, we must never forget that we have a God Who is with us and Who had brought us good news of great joy that will be for all people. We, as believers, have all been tasked with the labor of giving birth to His Word each and every day, understanding, like John, that our joy will not truly be complete until everyone shares in the true knowledge of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:4). As a faithful servant may you be strengthened as you daily sit at the Lord's table and feast on His Word so that you may declare boldly, as Mary: "I am the Lord's servant...may it be to me as You have said" (Luke 1:38).
Keep radiating His light!
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."
(Luke 2:14)
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