Yesterday, we talked about Zechariah and how Gabriel shut his mouth after he spoke doubt over the divine revelation that his wife would have a son in her old age. Since he carried such great influence at the temple, any negative words uttered publicly might have done damage, so the angel thought it wise to keep him from speaking until the miracle had actually occurred. Now well along in years, it seems the aged priest had faced enough disappointments to become unsure about the promises of God. Perhaps in the decades of waiting for a child, his heart had grown bitter, and he couldn’t bring himself to believe that this time, it would actually come to pass. After all, what if he was let down again? On the other hand, Mary, who was only a teenage girl when she received word that she would give birth to Jesus, responded in awe and wonder. Though she was unmarried and engaged to a very eligible bachelor (whom she stood to lose when he got word of her being with child), she still magnified the Lord when she realized the honor of her call. With a heart full of faith, she burst into a song of praise and fully surrendered her will and her future to God. She let the words of her mouth affirm His power and joyfully anticipated the fulfillment of His promise.

My friend, determine in your heart to agree with the covenants of God, and don’t hesitate to say it out loud! When He gives you a word, pray into it, hold on to it, and affirm it with your mouth in thanksgiving and praise. Even if you’ve dealt with disappointments in the past and you feel yourself growing cynical, choose childlike faith and cling to the unchanging and forever-settled promises of Scripture. The One who knows the beginning from the end is ordering your steps, and He is full of miracle-working power that makes all things possible!