Richard Wurmbrand was a pastor serving in communist Romania in 1948. His first arrest lasted eight and one half years. When he was finally released, he and his wife resumed their underground work, but Richard was soon arrested again. His endured another eight years until Western churches paid a ransom for his release in 1965.
As Jesus’ future mother, Mary’s situation wasn’t much brighter, yet when presented with God’s plan she said, I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true (Luke 1:38 NLT).
As a young unmarried pregnant woman, Mary risked disaster. If the father refused to marry her, she could remain unmarried for life. In a male dominated world, the financial challenges would be immense. If her father put her out, she might be forced into prostitution to support herself. And her story about becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit probably made some question her sanity. Additionally, unfaithfulness during her betrothal period could lead to her being stoned to death.
God has a plan for each of us, but it often involves hardships of some type. They may come in the form of persecution, financial challenge, employment adjustment, family misunderstanding, emotional strain, or even family break-up. Jesus’ life is a perfect example. Nor is God’s plan always as clear as it was to Mary, but he will willingly reveal it when we seek it out through prayer. Great faith is essential in following God’s will, but he faithfully provides all that’s required for us to accomplish what he wants us to do in this world. Have you discovered and accepted God’s plan?
Prayer: Thank You Almighty God for choosing to use us in Your work in this world. Reveal Your plan to us, and give us the faith to courageously move forward in accomplishing it.
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God's plan for me is continually being revealed. I sometimes refer to His plan as The Grand Adventure, because, from my perspective, it is full of surprises and uncertainty. I'm never sure what each new day will bring.
ReplyDeleteYet, He remains ever faithful...always remaining with me...continually true to His promise to conform my heart ever closer to His image.
What a great illustration of how we can relate the Christmas story out our lives today. Thank you for sharing this. Blessings from Croatia: A Little R & R: www.littlerandr.org
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