122 of 365 - Praise over Fear

​And 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 call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:30-33
 
Meanwhile, something incredible is happening in the life of a young girl named Mary, who also happens to be Elizabeth’s cousin.
 
Mary, who is currently engaged to be married to Joseph, is confused by the words of the angel. How can this be, she wonders aloud to the angel, since she is a virgin. But the angel tells her it will be the Holy Spirit who allows her to be pregnant and her son will be the Son of God.
 
When Mary learns from the angel that her much older cousin, Elizabeth, is also pregnant, she sets out to visit her. When your life is turned upside down, a trusted friend is just what you need. As Mary walks in the door, Elizabeth’s child, John the Baptist, leaps in her womb. Though not even born yet, John is filled with the Holy Spirit as the angel promised, and he recognizes the One he will prepare the way for while both are still in the womb. God is working out a mighty plan. I imagine the angels in heaven are also doing a few leaps watching everything unfold!
 
Finally, the ONE long-awaited for is on His way. You can feel the excitement and anticipation.  Mary, with Elizabeth, sings a beautiful song and prayer to the Lord for what He is doing in their lives.
 
Mary doesn’t understand everything and she is thrust into a situation in a culture where she will be shamed over her unwed pregnancy, but she trusts God. Instead of fear, she praises God as His plan plays out in her young life.
 
Questions: Do you recall ever hearing how John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb when Jesus in the womb of Mary walked in the door? What do you think about the power of the Spirit to move in this way? Ask the same Holy Spirit to move in your life!