november 30, 3010 Get Help

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Day 15: Luke 1:39-45 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

MARY had accepted God’s mission to bear the Messiah. She had heard from God and responded with a servant’s heart to accept his call on her life. All’s well, right? Maybe not. Reality may have set in. After that wondrous encounter, Mary may have felt fear, uncertainty and disbelief. She’s human. She certainly had doubts. What would she do?
She would go to someone who might understand, someone else who had experienced a miracle. Gabriel had told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was pregnant in her old age. Mary likely thought, “I need to talk to someone. Who better than Elizabeth?” So Mary goes, and God affirms her. Mary finds in Elizabeth a joy in the Lord. Mary is encouraged and strengthened in her walk with God.
Are you perhaps feeling fear or doubt in your walk with God? Are you afraid the changes he wants you to make in your life are too difficult or too scary?
Much is against you if you seek God. The world wants to hold you back. But God is greater than any worldly or spiritual force against him. He has people all around you available to share his word and care for you. As Mary went to Elizabeth, you can go to people who can give you hope and strength in your daily life. Walk with joy as you walk with God.

Pause and Consider: the life he has for you is better than anything you can imagine.


A King Who Knows Struggles
Read Hebrews 4 – 6

Heb 4:14-15 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin.

MY GRANDDAUGHTER is learning to play the violin. A teen-aged neighbor who plays for professional symphonies has offered to teach her. My granddaughter can trust her teacher’s instructions because her teacher has gone through the process of learning, practicing, failing and succeeding to perform at a high level.
It’s like that with all of us who truly want to learn, isn’t it? We want to learn from someone who has experienced the reality of dealing with difficulty and the victory that comes with persevering through the tough times.
Jesus is an exceptional King. What King has lived and died and risen again? What other king has even lived in difficulty? Very few. Most who have become an earthly king have grown up far away from difficulties their subjects experienced.
You can trust the King who has overcome the cross and the tomb. No issue is too much for him. All temporary defeats in life are transformed to total victory in Jesus Christ, who was tempted in every way, yet is perfect in every way for you.


Pause and Consider: Jesus knows what human life is like.