Blessing in Trials

November 18

(Luke 1:45-49 NIV) ““Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" {46} And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord {47} and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, {48} for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, {49} for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name.””

(Psalms 34:1-5 NIV) “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. {2} My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. {3} Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. {4} I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. {5} Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

Mary was pregnant, without a husband, in a culture that often stoned unmarried pregnant women to death. Yet Elizabeth calls her blessed, and Mary agrees as she glorifies the Lord. Mary praised God in the face of her trial, and sang of God’s great provision for her. How does one find blessing in trials like Mary did? It takes a faith that sees beyond immediate circumstances -- a faith that believes God’s plan is grander than ours. Mary believed God. She trusted that her personal Savior, the Mighty One, was doing something great through her. She looked to the Lord, and instead of being covered with shame, her face was radiant. Her soul rejoiced and boasted in the Lord as she extolled His name. Her situation was not ideal, but God delivered her from all her fears. She was doing God’s will. Join her, beleaguered Christian. Praise God in your trials. God is doing something grand. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day