No, I’m not talking about our 16th president and his wife, but about the mother of our Lord and her ancestor, “Abraham, the man of faith” (Gal. 3:9).
In his book, Dangerous Calling, Paul David Tripp makes an interesting point about Abraham’s faith, based on what is said of Abraham in Romans 4. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky, as the sand on the seashore.
God made that promise to Abraham when he was 75 years old and childless. But the promise didn’t come to pass until 25 years later. Sarah got pregnant when she was 90 years old and Abraham was about 100. The Holy Spirit, speaking through the apostle Paul, states in Romans 4:19-21,
Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
In citing this passage, Paul Tripp shows its application to us, saying,
Think about it: when you and I are called by God to wait for an extended period as Abraham was, often for us our story of waiting is a chronicle of ever-weakening faith. … But not so with Abraham. We’re told in this passage that during his time of protracted waiting, his faith actually grew stronger, and the passage tells us why. Rather than meditating on the possibility of his situation, Abraham meditated on the power and the character of the One who had made the promise. The more Abraham let his heart bask in the glory of God, the more convinced he became that the was in good hands. Rather than a cycle of discouragement and hopelessness, Abraham’s story was one of encouragement and hope. Why? Because he meditated on the right thing. [Dangerous Calling, pp. 65-66]
So did Mary. When the angel Gabriel appeared to this young virgin and said, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31), Mary inquired concerning the manner of the birth but not the certainty of it. Mary responded, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Like Abraham her forefather, Mary focused not on the impossibility of the situation, but on the power and character of the God who had made the promise.
Mary began her song of praise by exclaiming, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” (Luke 1:46-47). Throughout the rest of the song, Mary celebrates who God is and what he has done.
Mary meditated on the right things.
I wonder what difference such a focus might make in our own lives. We don’t have to guess because Scripture tells us in Philippians 4:8-9:
Finally, brothers,
whatever is true,
whatever is honorable,
whatever is just,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things …
practice these things,
and the God of peace
will be with you.
That’s what Abraham and Mary did. Consequently, their faith didn’t waver as they waited for God to make good on his promise. And he did. That’s why we celebrate Christmas.
As 2020 draws to a close, we find ourselves waiting. We’re waiting for this pandemic to end. We’re waiting to see how the political process plays out. We’re waiting to discover what the new year will bring. We’re waiting for any number of things.
What are you waiting for?
Perhaps the better question is:
Who are you waiting for?
They who wait for the Lord
will renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings
like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
- Isaiah 40:31 -