Faith Faith Faith

This semester I am studying the first half of the New Testament, and I am so excited to be able to share here some of the insights I get from this most wonderful set of inspired writings.

My readings this week covered Matthew and Luke 1-2, and John 1 and 17. One of my favorite things to read in the gospels is the account of the births of John the Baptist and the Savior. What has always touched me about those accounts is the faith demonstrated Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph, in addition to the declarations of praise from Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, and Anna. As I think about why I find those accounts so special is that the accounts show how much faith was exercised and how I can and should be demonstrating the same kind of faith, even though I am asked by the Lord to perform different tasks.

It always catches my attention that even though Zachariah and his wife were advanced in years (menopause having already occurred to Elizabeth) and the fact that they knew of Elizabeth's previous inability to become pregnant, they still demonstrated the faith to conceive a child. In my mind, I imagine that after many years of wanting to have children, that Zachariah and Elizabeth had consigned themselves to the knowledge that they would not have children in this life, so the fact that they went ahead and attempted to become pregnant in their old age shows the faith that they had in the Lord that He would fulfill His words.

The same happened to Mary six months later, when an angel appeared to her and in a sense made the same promise to her, that despite what appeared impossible, that Mary would conceive a child regardless of the fact that she was still a virgin. Her great faith showed through the exchange she has with the angel. After hearing that should would become pregnant, she asks the angel how such a thing could be possible, to which the angel stated that with God nothing is impossible. To Mary that was all she needed and without reservation she stated that she would be the handmaid of the Lord, that she would do anything and everything that the Lord required of her because she knew nothing would be impossible with His help.

That was exactly what Mary did. She handed her life over to the Lord without hesitation and without doubt. The scriptures do not state much about her life, but the available evidence to me shows that she was a consistent source of faith, which is why she had found favour with God and was given the immense privilege of raising His only begotten Son.

We too can demonstrate the exact same kind of faith, and if our lives are in tune with the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, we too will be guided by the hand of the Lord, and nothing will be impossible for us to accomplish because He will make sure that that is what happens when we are on His side.