“What verse has resonated with you recently?” asked my daughter, returning home from college.
“Luke 1:45 has been on my mind because it has always haunted me,” I shared.
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45 (NIV)
This verse in context is when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, approaches her Aunt Elizabeth. As Mary calls to her, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaps and Elizabeth speaks the words of Luke 1:45 to Mary.
I understand that in text context, Mary believed the angel’s proclamation over her. She is now living a part of that promise. She has seen a piece of it come true.
I believe the promises of the Bible are there for each of us today. I read them when I search for comfort, for wisdom, for answers.
I pray them when I am joyful, confused, and anguished.
I trust them even when I trust no one, no thing, or even myself.
So why does Luke 1:45 haunt me?
Honestly, I know in my head it is true. It’s in the Bible, it’s God-breathed, it is true.
I also know I haven’t seen the fruition of all those promises at all times. I know what it’s like to pray them over people I love and situations I hate. Praying for weeks, praying for months, tearfully praying for years, and still, needing to pray and wait.
I know that sometimes, the fulfillment of some promises might occur in heaven. I fear I won’t see the fulfillment on earth. And that shatters my heart.
I know that although those promises are meant for every one of Christ’s followers, not everyone I love is a follower of Christ. Many people I claim those promises over are not praying those promises over themselves, or, praying at all. That doesn’t mean God can’t or won’t work a miracle. But in my humanity, I become afraid.
You see friend, when I have prayed and have claimed promises time and time again, for the same person, for the same scenario, and all I have to show for it is the very same situation, I get frustrated. I get impatient. I know God hears me, I know God sees me, I know God loves me, but Lord, can’t you speed up the process, please?
“Blessed is she who believes,” is the first part of that verse.
I want to believe.
I keep asking.
I keep praying.
I keep believing. Someday, some how, some way… Probably when I least expect it.
But until then, I need to keep believing.
Easier said than done at times. But I have learned when I’m frustrated, when I’m angry that I’m still here, He is right there, in the waiting. Doing more behind the scenes than I could ever imagine.
He promises to “Never leave me nor forsake me,” and he hasn’t.
I know I don’t have a high priest who doesn’t understand what I ‘m going through. Because, Jesus knows.
I can trust my future to him because he does know the plans he has for me. And those are plans to prosper me, not to harm me, those plans are to give me a future with hope.
Even when I can’t see it, can’t feel it, and can’t hear it in my heart. I need to keep believing those promises. Because by believing them, I am growing my faith, ever-so-slowly sometimes, but growing it still; and that is blessing me.
Maybe like me, you need a reminder every now and again. A little encouragement to persevere in believing those promises.
I was recently blessed when that daughter of mine who asked the thought-provoking question painted me a canvas with that verse.
Please download a picture of her painting as a reminder of the blessings we receive as believers in Christ. And please know, whatever promise you’ve been praying, no matter how long, you aren’t alone in wondering when this might come true.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that You know. You love. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for always keeping those promises even when I can’t see it today. Please draw me near to You and grant me faith and perseverance to keep believing, to keep trusting. In Jesus’ name, Amen.