Luke #7 – Our Part in His Plan

Luke #7 – Our Part in His Plan

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God’” (Luke 1:26-30 – King James Version).

Have you ever had a dream that later came true? Don’t think I am weird but I have. One night I had a very vivid dream about leading a man that I’d never seen before to Christ. It was so vivid, in fact, that I awakened surprised to be in my bed. I was freaked out. I woke Care up and told her about it. Usually she would mumble something politely and go back to sleep. This time it was different. It was so clear; alive; dramatic. I guess she could tell because she listened and was just as amazed about the dream as I was. Guess what? It happened! It came true; exactly as the dream showed me. I didn’t really see it unfolding until I was already in the middle of it. It was grand!

I don’t know why, but God seems to give us insights into moments sometimes. Often they are mundane things. At the least, it shows His sovereign power and omniscience. How must the prophets have felt? How must they have felt receiving such great and terrible visions?

How about the folks living out those prophecies? How might they feel when they realize (if they realize) they are part of God’s plan? How do you feel about that?

Isaiah 7:14 says “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (KJV). Mary was that virgin. Do you think she realized the monumental thing of which she was part? Do you think she realized that “God with us” was going to be in her womb? If she looked at the situation with worldly eyes she would have seen heartbreak, public scorn, and how she would be ostracized. People would definitely look down upon an unmarried, yet engaged, young lady pregnant with child who said “This is God’s child inside me.” How would you like to wear those shoes? BUT, in God’s eyes she had found favor. With spiritual eyes she would see the unique and wonderful privilege God had granted her.

WE are part of God’s prophecy being fulfilled (Isaiah 49:22 and many more!). We are Gentiles and God saved us. Not only that, but He desires that we carry the message (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). WE are part of God reaching out to mankind. YOU are part of God reaching out to mankind. We have found favor in God’s eyes; by grace through faith in Christ we have become part of God’s plan.

It is an overwhelming thought that this great privilege has been given us. Too often we feel we have no purpose, but events that God has planned long ago are being unfolded and He desires to use us in the process. Too often we do not see our part in His plan. We may feel unworthy (really, we are); we may be too distracted; we may think it strange that this Holy God has chosen to use us. We may not be willing to pay the price to be used. We may not want to draw the ire of the world while gaining the favor of God. Whatever the case, I believe that God would say to us “I am with thee…do not fear.”

God would speak to you today. He would use you today. How will you respond to your part in His plan?