When God answers our questions, it can surprise us and be life-changing. Perhaps you are asking God today for direction in life, or another question along your journey of faith. Don’t be surprised if God answers, but in an unexpected way.
As Mary was going about her life, she suddenly encountered an angel. Luke 1:28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” [1] Mary had no idea that what the angel was about to tell her would forever change her life.
Luke 1:31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”[2]
The Angel Answered Mary’s Question
Moments after Mary’s question, the angel gave her an answer that must have seemed overwhelming.Luke 1:35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.[3] As Mary contemplated what the angel said, she said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”[4]
Several years ago, our daughter was interested in studying nursing, and we had been praying for discernment about which school she should attend. After driving for five hours, we arrived at the college and parked the car. Before we got out, my wife, daughter, and I all sensed the same thing from the Lord: “No.” Although this school was fine, God made it clear it was not the school she should attend. Later, God made it clear which school she should attend, and looking back, it is obvious this was the right choice.
The Apostle Paul Received an Answer from God
2 Corinthians 12: 8 Three different times, I (Paul) begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.[5]
Not every response from the Lord is what we want, as seen in the life of the Apostle Paul. Sometimes God’s reply is to wait, or to say no, for our own good. Regardless of His answer, we must trust that He wants what’s best. This made more sense to me when we had children; not every question they ask deserves an answer.
Mary’s faith shows acceptance of God’s answer, and she moves forward in life. Whether or not God answers as we wish, remember John 3:16. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.[6] As believers, we can never lose sight of the big picture.
To learn more about how God answers our questions, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-gift-of-relationships
[1-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.