August 21st, 2023
Monday, Aug. 21
Joy In The Promise
By: Pastor Amie Donovan
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!”
-Luke 1:45
When I was growing up, my best friend in the entire world was my cousin Jamie. We were almost one month apart and practically shared a name and a house. Family is special, isn’t it?
In Luke 1:39, we read the story of two cousins encountering each other for the first time. Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist, has a guest show up! It’s her cousin Mary, and she’s pregnant too! With Jesus.
When Mary walks in and greets Elizabeth, John leaps inside his mother’s belly, and these are the words Elizabeth speaks.
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!”
-Luke 1:45
This story is so powerful because Elizabeth got pregnant at an old age, just as the Lord promised. Mary’s story is so powerful; well we all know that one. She was a virgin and gave birth to God in the flesh.
Here’s the deal. God's promises, as beautiful as they are, do not mean a lack of hardship. John grew up as a powerhouse for the kingdom and a participant in the movement of Christ! Eventually, he was beheaded. Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, grew up and took on the sins of you and of me. He was crucified. So why did I title this devo, “Joy In The Promise” if the promise doesn’t seem joyful?
Because God's promises are good, even if we don’t understand them. The blessing in both promises was found and rooted in belief.
Belief leads to Life! Life for John, and Life in Jesus!
Just because God's promises don’t always make sense to you in the moment, that doesn’t mean they are not good. Life. Life is always the blessing.
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” -1 John 5:11
That promise gives us Joy!
Joy In The Promise
By: Pastor Amie Donovan
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!”
-Luke 1:45
When I was growing up, my best friend in the entire world was my cousin Jamie. We were almost one month apart and practically shared a name and a house. Family is special, isn’t it?
In Luke 1:39, we read the story of two cousins encountering each other for the first time. Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist, has a guest show up! It’s her cousin Mary, and she’s pregnant too! With Jesus.
When Mary walks in and greets Elizabeth, John leaps inside his mother’s belly, and these are the words Elizabeth speaks.
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!”
-Luke 1:45
This story is so powerful because Elizabeth got pregnant at an old age, just as the Lord promised. Mary’s story is so powerful; well we all know that one. She was a virgin and gave birth to God in the flesh.
Here’s the deal. God's promises, as beautiful as they are, do not mean a lack of hardship. John grew up as a powerhouse for the kingdom and a participant in the movement of Christ! Eventually, he was beheaded. Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, grew up and took on the sins of you and of me. He was crucified. So why did I title this devo, “Joy In The Promise” if the promise doesn’t seem joyful?
Because God's promises are good, even if we don’t understand them. The blessing in both promises was found and rooted in belief.
Belief leads to Life! Life for John, and Life in Jesus!
Just because God's promises don’t always make sense to you in the moment, that doesn’t mean they are not good. Life. Life is always the blessing.
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” -1 John 5:11
That promise gives us Joy!
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