God’s Powerful Promise
Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 7:14 (NASB95) "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel."
Luke 1:26-38 (NASB95) "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.' But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, '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 name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.' Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.' And Mary said, 'Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her."
Cowboy Wisdom:
Out on the range, a cowboy's word is his bond. When he says he'll do something, you can stake your life on it. God made a promise way back in the garden, and He kept it. The birth of Jesus wasn't just another baby being born—it was God Almighty keeping His word in the most powerful way possible. A virgin conceiving a child? That's about as impossible as a tumbleweed growing roots and turning into an oak tree. But nothing's impossible with God.
The virgin birth wasn't just a miracle for miracle's sake. It was God's signature on His promise, showing that He has the power to do what seems utterly impossible. Just like a rancher can look at his brand on cattle and know they're his, God put His unmistakable mark on history through Jesus' supernatural birth.
Think about the obstacles Mary faced—the scandal, the fear, the unknown. Yet she trusted God's power over her circumstances. When have you faced something that seemed impossible? God's power hasn't diminished since that first Christmas.
Questions for Reflection:
What "impossible" situation in your life needs God's supernatural power right now?
How does knowing that God fulfilled His ancient promises strengthen your faith in His current promises to you?
Like Mary, what does it mean for you to say, "May it be done to me according to your word"?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to increase your faith in His power to accomplish the impossible. Pray for the courage to trust Him with situations that seem beyond hope, just as Mary trusted Him with her reputation, her future, and her very life.
