God's Plan

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" (Luke 1:26-28 NKJ)

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then 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 bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give 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 1:29-33 NKJ)

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:34-35 NKJ)

"Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:36-37 NKJ)

Luke's narrative above is the time-honored story of important events that show God's plan for the salvation of mankind. This story runs contrary to the popular concept that human beings can help themselves.

While recovering from radical surgery, the 19th century poet William Ernest Henley wrote Invictus which sets forth the theme of inner strength and perseverance. The poem concludes with these oft quoted words:

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

And of course, we cannot master every issue or event in life. Something will always occur to prove that our plans do not control everything. No self-help mantra or principle will change this fact. The destiny of our souls is controlled by our decision to trust God's plan of salvation or not. But he, and he alone, has constructed it.

In his hymn, The Lord Will Provide, 18th century pastor and hymnist John Newton got it right:

No strength of our own, or goodness we claim;

Yet since we have known the Saviour's great name,

In this our strong tower for safety we hide;

The Lord is our power, the Lord will provide.

When, like Mary, we are afraid and do not understand -- when we do not see any possibility for the future -- this wonderful Christmas story reminds us that God has a plan because "nothing is impossible with God."

Dear Father, thank you for the salvation you provide through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Empower us to trust only in the safety of your plan. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Today trust God's plan for your life,