When You Need Humble Strength to Trust God
Luke was a doctor, a Greek, and a Gentile believer in Christ. He was a SEEKer who wanted to know as much as he could about the person in whom he placed his faith.
He wrote:
Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
Luke 1:3–4
The name Theophilus means “one who loves God.” Although Luke’s intended audience was most likely a Roman acquaintance who was also SEEKing. His words share the accurate account of eye-witnesses to the truth about Jesus.
I love this quote from the Life Application Bible Notes:
Christianity doesn’t say, “Close your eyes and believe,” but rather “Check it out for yourself.”
Be a lifelong SEEKer of TRUTH! God’s Truth!
It would have been amazing to sit down with Mary and hear her talk about her son, Jesus. Listening to her share her own experience as the mother of God’s Son.
Can you imagine sitting with her as she remembered the day the angel, Gabriel, visited her? To hear her admit that she was confused and disturbed by his appearance…
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
Luke 1:29–31
I don’t know about Luke, but I’m most moved by her response to all she had been told…
“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Luke 1:38
She had no idea what all this would mean for her future but I think she had an idea that it wasn’t going to be easy. But God asked her to serve Him and in faith she humbly obeyed . . . trusting Him to give her the strength she would need.
Mary humbles me. I spent too much of my life afraid. I doubted God’s ability to face life’s problems and pain.
God’s favor didn’t keep her from either but He did bless her humble obedience by giving her the strength she needed throughout the journey.
A Prayer for Humble Strength to Trust God
Father, thank you for Mary’s beautiful example of humble strength. You asked her for one of the most significant acts of obedience and faith that You ever asked of anyone. She was poor and young without any special ability that we know of . . . yet You chose her. And she trusted You!
Please forgive me for the times I’ve been unwilling to obediently serve You when You have asked. Forgive me for doubting that You would give me the strength I need to fulfill Your will.
Please give me the willingness to humbly obey whatever you ask of me. And help me trust You faithfully to give me the strength I need one moment at a time. By Your grace, I pray that I might, like Mary, live my life to glorify You. Amen.
Humble strength does not come naturally to our human nature. We tend to think of humility as weakness and pride too often goes along with our human way of thinking about strength.
But God turns things upside down. And by His grace, humble strength comes of a spirit filled by His Spirit. A strong core of faith that trusts God to supply whatever is needed for whatever He asks.
On today’s note write:
God will give me humble strength to trust His will.
God bless you and give you all you need today to trust and obey His will.
Click here to read the rest of Luke 1.
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I am always humbled when I read Mary’s story, too, Deb. Such great faith and trust in the Father! May we all ask for that same humility Mary showed so many years ago.
Blessings!
Her courage and humble strength are so inspiring. And yes, humbling! How you have a great weekend! God bless you!
Deb, this post blesses me greatly. I’m experiencing a very difficult flare-up of fibromyalgia. The troubles range from constant pain to heavy fatigue to emotional upheaval over not meeting the needs of my family and others. “Humble strength” is my prayer.
BTW, what is the “note” you referred to. I admit to not reading every post you email to me, so I’m guessing I missed something. Sounds interesting, though. If it’s from a former post, just let me know which, and I’ll check it out. Thank you! Blessings!
I am so sorry for your health challenges and pain, Cathy. The notes I mention are just the theme of the post and I encourage everyone to write it on a card, post-it note, or in a journal to help us remember it and think about it. I know I need a regular reminder of God’s will for me. Praying your weekend is blessed!