December 16, 2022

The Angel answered and said to [Mary], “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now, indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:35-37

Mary’s visit from Gabriel radically altered the entire course of her life. As a result, the lives of countless others have also been radically changed. Gabriel’s closing words “For with God nothing will be impossible” are to be taken very personally by every believer. As we celebrate Immanuel, “God with us” let each of us ask ourselves: Am I truly and wholeheartedly with God? During His ministry Jesus would go on to declare,

“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Matthew 12:30-31

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in my life? He speaks to my conscience, reinforcing the unchanging nature of God. The truth that our God is unchanging is a great source of comfort if I will believe it. This truth also reveals how fickle I can be. We have an enemy who works relentlessly to wrest the truth from our grasp. But we need to be so settled in truth that we cannot be moved away from it. At the same time, there are impurities in our thinking that are connected to misunderstandings about God that must be replaced with truth.

The character trait of steadfastness before God is what I need, and only His Holy Spirit can help me develop it. Do I truly desire for the power of the Highest to overshadow me? Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel is a beautiful example of the ideal response to have whenever the Holy Spirit makes clear to me any point regarding the character and will of God:

“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38