I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want is to be filled with despair. What if when someone describes me, they say, “She is nice enough, but kind of an Eeyore .” Eek. Yet, isn’t it easy to look at the negative side of life? I can fill my daily commentary with a gloomy tone if I am not careful. “That line at the grocery store went on for miles.” “Since when did getting an oil change take so long?” “Buying Christmas gifts for everyone on my list is so expensive.”
These small comments may not sound like the depths of despair (to quote one of my favorite Anne of Green Gables lines), but they add up and before I know it, I end the day in a humdrum spirit, completely missing the joy God offers so freely.
Zechariah
In Luke 1, we are introduced to Zechariah. As a priest with a godly wife, God bestowed on him many kind blessings; but one thing was not bestowed— a son. This burden of childlessness had not escaped God’s attention for He knew Zechariah’s grief, his struggle, and He had a plan to use them both.
Zechariah’s Response to a Miracle
IIn Luke 1, Gabriel comes and proclaims to Zechariah that he will finally have a son.
The angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. (1:13-14)
What a miracle, what a gift.
But what was Zechariah’s response to Gabriel’s announcement? “How shall I know this?” He wanted further proof, and this response also demonstrates his blindness to God’s blessings in this whole encounter.
Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the temple and burn incense — this was a BIG deal and usually only happened once in a priest’s lifetime.
An angel appeared — God had been seemingly silent for years and now He sends one of His messengers
Gabriel used his name, and his wife Elizabeth’s — God knew them by name
Your prayer has been heard — confirmation God was paying attention all along
Zechariah daringly asks for further confirmation, but then again… don’t we all? Instead of looking at the many wonderful, detailed ways God has provided for us and answered prayers, we fixate on the what-ifs and likely impossibilities. We long for writing in the sky while neglecting the promises already written in His word. We isolate ourselves in search of wisdom and forsake fellowship with a godly community, and I must confess I fail to see God’s gifts in my life just like Zechariah.
However, as we continue reading Luke 1, we see that he is not the only one who receives a message from Gabriel. And this young girl is filled with anything but despair.
Mary’s Response to a Miracle
This time Gabriel is sent to a betrothed young woman, Mary, to announce another unlikely blessing, one even more incredible than the message delivered to Zechariah.
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. (1:30-32)
And yet what does she say in response to her message? How will this be, not can. She may not have understood exactly how this would occur as she was still a virgin, but she didn’t doubt. In faith, she asks the angel to help her understand, and she receives more details on the miracle to come and ends this conversation with “May it be as you say. I am the servant of the Lord.”
How could Mary, likely a 12 to 15-year-old girl, be filled with such joy? A belief in the promises of God. She didn’t just acknowledge them but hid them in her heart.
Mary’s Magnificat is well-known and overflowing with truths from the Old Testament. Compare her prayer with Hannah’s in 1 Samuel 2, and you will quickly find similarities. And, as you continue to examine the phrases she uses, you will uncover not just well-worded praise but a deep knowledge of Scripture.
The God of my salvation—“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Hab 3:18.
The Mighty One—“The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” Psalm 50:1
He who has done great things for me—“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zeph 3:17
His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation—“I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.” Genesis 17:7; “So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:11
This is just a small sampling of Mary’s knowledge of the Word. She knew the character of her God, filling her heart and soul with the truth, which produced great joy in her countenance.
I can’t imagine that the next steps in her journey were easy. She likely had to tell her parents the news, and Joseph. Before Joseph received his own message from an angel, he intended to break off the engagement! (Matthew 1:19) But from what we see in Scripture, Mary remained steadfast in her joy.
Hope for Us Zechariahs
Even though I love Mary’s response, I fear I’m more likely to respond like Zechariah and quickly ask the what-ifs and brace myself for the worst-case scenario. Thankfully, Scripture offers hope to us, the Zechariahs of the world.
For nine months, Zechariah could not speak, but when he did, what a change of disposition. His words were filled with praise! His prophetic song also contains connections to the promises of God as he speaks beautiful, poetic words to his son regarding his role in announcing Jesus’ arrival.
For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (1:76-79)
Finally, Zechariah and Mary had something in common—they both rejoiced in the God of their salvation. And so can we.
I too gloss over the promises of God too quickly, but this reality remains: I am an imperfect sinner who needs a savior. Every day I can choose to be filled with doubt, supposing God is done working in my life, like Zechariah. Or, like Mary, I can gaze at my Savior, filled with joy that I get to walk with the Mighty One who has indeed done great things for me.
After 30 years far from the crowds, His public ministry began. He chose twelve ordinary men, not perfect, sometimes easy to offend. But with their own eyes They saw the miracles that verified: The I AM stood before them.
As I AM, He offered bread for spiritual hunger Shone light to illumine the way, Stood as the door to welcome the strays Shepherded His own by name. As the Vine of the abundant life, He is the way, the truth, and the life.
To Him, they declared allegiance And echoed His praise And yet, they fled. How? Did they change their minds in a day? I could never, I would never Dream of something so obscene.
Then speaks this faint fear, Quiet, but oh so clear. Am I really that different? My defense quickly disappears.
I want to protest my case, Proving somehow I deserve grace, But then I look at how I treat others: I assume the worst of my brothers, And shut my eyes to the needs around me. My time is precious, that’s plain to see. Someone else will serve, most would agree. Someone else will support the homeless by the road, Someone else will stand up for those who cannot speak, Someone else will bear the unemployed´s load, Someone else will tell them of the hope they seek. I’m too busy earning standing and favor. Trying to become the greatest of them all, But perhaps my perspective is too small.
How blind am I? How long will I justify The standards I have made? When I define what is valuable and true Eventually, everything falls through. So when the three couldn’t stay awake, I realize, I’d have made the same mistake.
And Judas cared more for wages Than honoring the Rock of Ages. I wonder —what I would have done, If wealth is my chief aim? Who’s to say I wouldn’t have played that game?
Jesus led them to familiar ground, The Garden of Gethsemane. But the lessons had a different sound And the prayers of that night Seemed dark, almost out of place. The Man of Sorrows poured out His soul. The Father’s path charged a steep toll.
He cried, ¨Let this cup pass from me!¨ As they closed their eyes, Slumbering at His broken plea. ¨Not My will but Yours be done.¨ Now…His hour had finally come
¨Are you asleep?¨He asked. But He knew the answer, Knew they would desert Him, Knew they would betray Him. Yet He loved them to the end. Oh, how little they did comprehend.
With lanterns, torches, and weapons at their side The powers of darkness arrived. The betrayer handed over the Son of Man, Confirming his choice with the kiss of a friend Judas would soon meet greed’s sad end. He thought 30 pieces of silver Could somehow deliver From the worries of this life. Instead, he inherited eternal strife.
Over the years, Jesus calmed the storm’s mighty winds, He healed the lame and forgave sins, He brought unwanted children near, But in His hour of need, They forgot all His life decreed.
Not one of his friends stayed They could not even sit and pray. Three times they fell asleep, Three times He would be denied. They became the scattered sheep.
Their faults describe mine. Is this why He went to the tree? My unbelief is as deep as the sea.
The religious leaders then led Him to trial Relying on Roman enemies to complete their denial. Instead of falling at His feet, Jealous pride led them to mistreat The One whom the prophets foretold, But He wasn’t the Messiah they wanted to behold.
The disciples deserted Him The rulers resented Him And the crowds criticized Him. They all turned on Him. Do I?
Read your Bible and pray every day, pray every day, pray every day. Read your Bible, pray every day, and you will grow, grow, grow.
Anyone remember that song from Sunday School? While the words still ring true, more often than not, we do everything (talk to people, try to find solutions on our own) but pray. But why? Why is this so often a last resort?
We are afraid nothing will happen. We asked once or twice and nothing. This line of thinking can happen often when we aren’t aware of it. We have something big that’s on our hearts, but it’s not just that the request is a big ask. It’s personal. Just mouthing the words is difficult because we feel exposed. The request is near and dear to us, we will have to lay all our cards on the table, and we can’t stand the idea of being met with silence. So we remain silent.
We are unsure if the Lord cares. Children help highlight the opposite of this point. They are quick to ask mom and dad for what they want the minute they think of a new toy or treat. Why? Because they know their parents love them.
Of course, this is an imperfect analogy as a parent’s love is not defined by always buying their children what they want when they want it. But the key is this: children don’t hesitate to ask.
Sometimes we are slow because (maybe without realizing it) we are telling ourselves this false narrative. Well, I asked once before, and nothing happened. So I guess God doesn’t really care. And within two seconds, we are falling into the same pattern Eve did in Genesis 3. She doubted God’s goodness.
We feel God has been good enough so why should we ask for more. Maybe you’ve come off a season where God answered some really long-standing prayers—an unsaved friend trusted Christ, you met your spouse after years of singleness, or you finally got pregnant after a prolonged season of infertility. Those are indeed reasons to praise and thank the Lord! So how could we ask for more—isn’t that almost ungrateful?
We feel like we have to earn it. Any achievers or perfectionists out there? Some of us feel like we can only get an answer to our prayers until we have worked our tailbones off and done everything possible to support the scenario. Then, and only then, do we ask the Lord for help or blessing. We forsake the gift of grace and live by a works-based mentality.
We question whether it’s the right prayer. We know what we want, but we are timid in asking for it. Maybe we are hoping for a little break from the routine of life, even a fun vacation. Maybe we are discouraged and could use some encouragement but don’t want to ask for it because we are supposed to rejoice in the Lord always, right? In these scenarios, we forget to unpack the whys.
Why do we want a break? Why do we feel like we need encouragement? Sometimes we have an idea that we think will fix (at least help) whatever is wrong, but we haven’t spent enough time in prayer to tell God what invisible bricks are weighing us down. Maybe we are nervous that our motivation is wrong or that somehow God will be disappointed in us for struggling, but how can we know what the Lord thinks until we go to Him through His word?
So what does Scripture say? Like the psalmist says in Psalm 73, “When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless until I entered God’s sanctuary.” The psalmist was looking at the way of the world and almost wishing he could be in their shoes until he came before God and faced his honest thoughts with truth.
The Word actually has many encouraging and beautiful things to say about prayer.
We are called to pray constantly.
“Ask, and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will give him a serpent? If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.”
Matthew 7:7-11
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
The idea of the verbs in Matthew 7 is a continual action. God wants His children to ask Him. He’s not begrudging our requests. He is a good Father. He wants to give us good things.
Yes, we struggle because sometimes our definition of good doesn’t align with His. But that again proves the importance of being constant in prayer. The more we are connected with Him, the more He will align our hearts and desires with His. In Romans 12, rejoicing, patience, and prayer are all connected. So isn’t it possible then that if we lack hope and patience in our lives, we have neglected the beauty of constant prayer?
We are called to give thanks.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I Thess 5:16-18
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:6-7
To give thanks, we have to recall to mind all that God has done. This does not mean we can’t bring our hard or frustrating things to the Lord (“in everything” means we get to pray about ALL of life). But we have to remember who our God is. If we don’t, we will indeed get lost in the challenges of our circumstances.
He is the God who created the universe, Man and woman, And offered hope after the curse. He is the one who showed favor to a no-name from Haren And blessed his wife Who was long barren. He is the one who grew the Israelites into a nation And gave them favor To provide the foundation Of His plan of grace, To give the Savoir a birthplace. Despite the rebellion of His own creation And the years of wandering and waiting, There was never a hesitation To love His own And make His glory known.
The same God who parted the Red Sea Hears my every plea. The same God who rescued Daniel from the lion’s den Counts my tears, again and again. The same God who called fishermen and tax collectors Promises to be my protector. The same God who allowed His Son to die for sin Washes me clean from my filth within. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead Gives me hope through the Living Bread.
This, this is the God I hesitate to come to? How little my faith is indeed If I cannot see this God on my knees.
May God show us our lack of faith so that we may know Him better as we pray, day after day.
This week, my husband and I celebrated three months of marriage. That won’t sound like much to those who have been married for years. Down the road, I will likely look back at these thoughts and think the same thing, but right now, in the newness of the season, I want to share what God is teaching me.
So—what has three months of marriage taught me?
I am far more selfish than I thought
Marriage is a giant transition, and so many wonderful things come from it – getting to make meals together, plan for the future together, wake up together, just to name a few. But in that newness, there is still this old habit of independence.
At the very start of our marriage, Luke and I still made decisions on our own and would then later say, “Oh no! I really should have talked to you first!”
Most of those instances were laughable and somewhat understandable — for so long, we only had to think about things from our perspective. But I’ve also come to see how I think of my opinions and reactions first, especially when we come to a disagreement. Sometimes, whether in the moment or after the disagreement, the main questions I ponder are, “Why are you mad at me? What did I do?”
You may think that’s a good question, and in part it is. I should always own up to my sins and be willing to say, “I was wrong, will you forgive me?” But sometimes, my husband is wrestling with something that has nothing to do with our disagreement.
Yes, we might have been short with each other based on a silly little decision like where to go out to eat. But what was the reason behind that irritation? Am I willing to take the time to ask questions and say, “Love, is something else on your mind?” Or do I just take the easy route and move on because I have at least owned up to my poor reaction?
Sometimes the struggle might be from a conversation we had earlier that we need to unpack better, but many times what’s been weighing on his mind is a completely different situation that has nothing to do with me. And when I am so quick to focus on myself, I miss seeing my husband and offering timely encouragement.
I have a much higher opinion of myself than I realized
Being that my husband and I are both sinners saved by grace, there are many times that I fall short—the scary thing is I am sometimes so oblivious to my wrong.
And then, when my sin comes to light, I am devastated. I have failed the person I have promised to love most. How could I do such a thing? I was trying so hard to love him well—wasn’t I?
Sin is deceitful and creeps in when I least expect it. When I am devastated and almost paralyzed by my failure, that isn’t humility. It’s pride.
Pride is sly. It’s not always haughty, brash, and noticeable. And when I go round and round in circles about how I can’t believe I did that or messed up that way again, I am saying “I should be above failure.” That type of narrative makes me feel awful for my failure but offers no hope. That line of thinking contradicts the truth of Scripture:
Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
James 4:6-10
When I am saying “Oh my word, I am the worst,” really I am saying I should be able to be better on my own. That. Is. Pride. And God doesn’t extend grace to the proud. He offers grace upon grace to the humble.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I can admit my wrong, ask for forgiveness from God and my spouse, and ASK for help. Admit that I don’t have it all figured out. Sometimes I don’t know the best way to love my husband, but asking him about it versus beating myself up for failing him is a much more Christlike response—it carries the seeds of humility.
Our differences sharpen each other
Marriage is messy, and transparency is hard, but I am learning how God intentionally wants to use our differences.
Case in point, one spouse can be more direct in communication while the other is softer, more sensitive. At moments that can feel defeating as you feel like you’re speaking different languages.
But instead of being frustrated at each other, or even ourselves, what if we looked at it as an opportunity? What if, by leaning into my spouse’s strengths, I can become a more well-rounded individual in communication?
Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another,” and I think that should be true of Christlike marriages. Little by little, I see the importance of direct communication (yes, I am sure you are shocked that I am the more sensitive one in the marriage) and my husband understands the value of a soft word fitly spoken.
Marriage is good and hard. My husband and I now have the privilege of being a part of each other’s sanctification process; we are sharpening each other to become more like Jesus. And these lessons are just the beginning of God’s story in our marriage.
As each morning breaks, So do the complexities of life. Yet we take more than we give. Take our health and community without a thought, Take our money and our time without thanks
Goodness we suppress And truth we downplay. On our own, all we see is darkness This has always been our way.
We long for hope to be life’s major chord. Will the song of joy ever be restored?
We forget what happened many years ago, When history took a surprising route. For in the quiet shadows, Hope was stirring about.
From the smallest of towns, A place often neglected, Came a King without a crown, The awaited One, yet unexpected.
His coming was proclaimed of old, To rescue us from the adversary, So all the world could behold This Prince of Peace, born to Mary.
For God did not just look on their suffering. He sent His very Son. So they were no longer left wondering. Immanuel had finally come.
The prophecies were no longer maybes, This child came from their own tribe, their kin. God became man and took on human skin, But could this world really be changed by a baby?
Longing for hope to be life’s major chord. Wondering if a song of joy could ever be restored. And this sinless little boy Grew to be a man That He might finally destroy Sin’s power, just as God planned.
This Wonderful Counselor showed understanding When men like Nicodemus came with questions. This Mighty God showed the extent of His power When He calmed the sea with a word. This Everlasting Father showed His kindness to the least of these When He beckoned the little ones to come to Him. This Prince of Peace showed mankind a different way When He taught them to love their enemies and turn the other cheek.
From the Bread of Life to the Man of Sorrows He was called by many names Yet all these titles proclaimed He was the one born to die The only One on whom we could rely To defeat the deep darkness of sin, That has corrupted the world from the start And dwells in our very hearts.
When He arose from the grave years later He showed He was greater Than the darkness of our soul The only One who makes our hearts whole.
Finally, Hope transposed into a major chord. Life’s song of joy is ever restored.
