“Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.”  (Joshua 23:14, NASB)

As he neared the end of his life, Joshua spoke those words to the Children of Israel; and reminded them of the Lord’s faithfulness to them and to their ancestors.

The same may be said of us today: Not one of God’s promises has failed — ever!

Look back over the years of your life.  Remember illnesses, failures, difficulties in personal relationships, trials at work, and dark times.  Remember how God delivered you — and others with you.  Remember how when deliverance was not His plan for you, He stood with you, even when others had gone their own way.

Therefore, resolve to trust Him in everything.  Hold nothing back.  God honors his word; He keeps His promises.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  – Luther

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“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this?  I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.'”  (Luke 1:18, NIV)

“’How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’”  (Luke 1:34, NIV)

It is okay for us to wonder how God will deliver us, or how God will provide for us, or how God will work-out an unworkable situation.  Such thinking challenges our creativity, and reminds us of God’s greatness.  God always arrives; and God is always on time, but He often appears from a direction or in a situation we had not considered.

It is not okay to wonder whether God has the power to deliver us, or the resources to provide for us, or the know-how to ensure success, because this kind of thinking insults our heavenly Father.

Today’s two scriptures are contrasts in these two ways of thinking about apparent impossibilities.  In the former, Zechariah (the seasoned religious professional) questioned the promise, and was sidelined by God.   In the latter, Mary (the simple, young, religious novice) questioned only the process while affirming her allegiance to the plan and the purposes of God.

To this day, Mary’s faith is heralded, while Zechariah’s insistence on “knowing before going” is a cautionary tale.

The next time God presents you with an opportunity to join Him in a task, will you respond as Mary — or as Zechariah?  – Luther

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“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  (1Corinthians 11:1, NASB)
All of us serve as an example for others — like it or not.  
As a disciple of Jesus, when people look to us what is it they see? 
Writing to the disciples in Corinth, Paul recognized the fact that while it might be difficult for others to see Jesus directly; it was easier to see Jesus through Paul.  Our challenge each day is to follow Jesus faithfully in all that we say and do. 
The great 19th century preacher Dwight L. Moody said: “Out of 100 men. one will read the Bible; the other 99 will read the Christian.”  
The world is watching you and me.  Do they see Jesus?  – Luther 
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