He does exactly as He promises He will...

When in doubt that God does exactly as He promises us He is going to do - regardless of how extremely radical it seems, no matter how wild and magnificent it may be or how "unqualified" we might feel we are - read Luke 1.

The angel Gabriel appeared to a virgin and told her that she was going to birth the Savior of the world.
That is radical. Beyond radical - sounds crazy!

He greets her in verse 28 (NIV) with "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Wow...

Then goes on to say in verse 30 (The Message) "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you."

I wonder what she was thinking in that moment?

A surprise from God! Wouldn't we all love a surprise from God? A surprise that enters stage left and blows our minds & hearts apart with delight?

But...it's preceded with "you have nothing to fear". Suggesting to me that it is going to require bravery, courage and willingness, no matter what it is.

She trusted God.
She trusted Him to do exactly and He promised He would do...and she KNEW from verse 28 that He was going to be with her.

So, she leaned in, she listened, she trusted and she followed the instructions.

Because she had relationship with Him. Because she knew that He could be trusted.

Her response after Gabriel's radical explanation of what was about to happen to her - because God had chosen her as faithful - is one of my favorite verses in the entire bible...
Luke 1:38 (NIV) - "I am the Lords servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

Wow. What a sweet, honest and trusting response.
What would yours be?
What will mine be?

I KNOW that He does exactly as He promises...and I think that I trust Him but when He starts to reveal His promises will I willingly accept them as Mary did in verse 38?

I hope so.
I really hope so.

Verse 38 in the Message says, "Nothing, you see, is impossible with God."

I believe. I do.