The blessings of belief

Luke 1:45 AMPC

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of the things that were spoken to her from the Lord.

There is great blessing in believing ahead of time.

Foresight is far superior to hindsight!

Jesus wants us to live in an atmosphere of faith. He was always impressed wherever He found faith.

Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

In fact it is impossible to please God without faith.

Even Jesus couldn't perform many miracles in Nazareth, His home town, because they didn't believe!

Hebrews 11:6 AMPC

But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

Sometimes the Lord prompts us to "see" things by faith - things that seem impossible.

Mark 5:36

But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”

Jairus' daughter was said to be dead, but he encouraged Jairus to continue on in faith.

Hebrews 11 lists the many Bible characters that achieved great victories by faith.

Others didn't see the fulfilment of the promises, but looked from afar.

Indeed, Mary, in her earthly existence, didn't see the crystallisation of Gabriel's word:

Luke 1:33 AMPC

And He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages; and of His reign there will be no end.

She died in 41AD, 11 years after the Resurrection of Jesus.

At that point there was no sign that Jesus was reigning over the house of Jacob as promised.

This life often disappoints, but God wants to reappoint our gaze to the Heavenly Kingdom that awaits beyond this life - that requires the eyes of faith.

There is great blessing in believing!

Psalm 27:13-14 AMPC

What, what would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.