Day 2: According To Your Word

In some ways Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a pattern for all of us, not just for mothers. There’s so much we can learn from her.

First of all in Luke chapter 1 the angel appeared to Mary and he said in verse 31,

“‘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.’ Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man? The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. [...] For with God nothing will be impossible.’’”

What the Greek actually says is, “No word of God will be without power.” In other words, every word God speaks contains in it the power for its fulfillment. Notice the response of Mary in verse 38.

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” That simple phrase, “according to your word” released the greatest miracle ever. Do you realize when you have the word, when you have its promises, all you have to do is say, “According to your word.” Don’t spend a lot of time imagining something wonderful that you could pray for. Because the things that are given to you in the word of God are much greater and much more wonderful than anything you yourself will ever think of or pray for.

If you go back to the old covenant in 1 Chronicles chapter 17, the prophet Nathan had come to David and told him that he was to be the father of a line that would bring the Messiah and would establish God’s kingdom forever. David was overwhelmed that something so far above anything he’d ever contemplated as a humble shepherd boy. Then this is what he said in verse 23 of 1 Chronicles 17.

“‘And now, O LORD, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said,’ You see what releases the miracle-working power of God? ‘Do as you have said.’ Never try to think of something greater than God has already said because what He has said is much greater than anything you could ever think of.”

Consider what is offered to you in the promises in the Word of God. If you don’t acquaint yourself with the Word of God and with its promises, you’re cheating yourself.

That’s where you’ll find out what God has for you. And what God has for you is far better than you could ever think of for yourself. It’s your treasury.

What released that miracle? “According to your word.” How did David respond to this amazing promise from the prophet Nathan? “Do as you have said.” So simple. No complicated theology. Just knowing, believing and responding to God’s Word. Nothing you ever think of will get you more than that.