The Promise is Here, Now What Do I Do? A Look at Mary's Story

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,560
Hey friends, and Happy New Year!

2
00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:08,920
I'm your host Jodie Chiricosta, ministry leader at Somebody Cares America International, author

3
00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:11,520
and traveler on this journey of faith.

4
00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:16,700
In our last episode of Her God Story, we talked about waiting on a promise from God.

5
00:00:16,700 --> 00:00:21,780
This time, we'll explore what it looks like when our promise finally comes.

6
00:00:21,780 --> 00:00:26,660
As I mentioned before, several Christian leaders I know believe an increase in the fulfillment

7
00:00:26,660 --> 00:00:28,440
of God's promise is coming.

8
00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:32,320
Only those things we've been waiting for, hoping for, believing for, praying for, will

9
00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:34,560
finally happen.

10
00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:38,720
Sometimes the wait is short, but other times the wait seems to go on forever.

11
00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:45,880
From the time God gave Joseph a dream, it was thirteen plus long and laborious years

12
00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:50,420
until he was suddenly elevated to second in command of one of the greatest nations on

13
00:00:50,420 --> 00:00:53,000
earth at the time.

14
00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:58,480
Moses was a shepherd in Midian for forty years before God called him to free the Israelites,

15
00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:03,340
and the Israelites were in bondage for four hundred years before they were suddenly set

16
00:01:03,340 --> 00:01:05,600
free to go to the promised land.

17
00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:08,740
So Mary's wait of nine months seems pretty short.

18
00:01:08,740 --> 00:01:12,440
What happens, though, when the promise comes?

19
00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:16,440
When Joseph took charge in Egypt, there was a whole lot of work to be done.

20
00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:21,740
When Moses was called to free the Israelites, he had to face down Pharaoh and all his armies.

21
00:01:21,740 --> 00:01:27,160
When the Israelites joyfully left Egypt, they had a long walk ahead of them.

22
00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:34,720
And when Jesus was born, Mary had to feed, change, bathe, and care for His every need.

23
00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:40,080
A promise fulfilled by God will definitely change your life and likely give you added

24
00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:41,640
responsibility.

25
00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:45,680
As I was pondering this in light of Mary's story, the Lord showed me a few things that

26
00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:47,280
are relevant to us.

27
00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:49,640
So let's look some more at Mary.

28
00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,880
First, our expectations are rarely right.

29
00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:56,920
Mary's promise sure did not come as she expected.

30
00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:01,120
When Mary thought about giving birth to the Messiah, I doubt she thought she'd be doing

31
00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:03,360
it in a stable far from home.

32
00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:06,980
She might have assumed she'd be at her parents' house on a soft palate with her mom coaching

33
00:02:06,980 --> 00:02:10,120
her through the contractions, but it wasn't like that.

34
00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:15,320
A lot of other Israelites thought their Messiah would be born in a palace, and when that didn't

35
00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:19,480
happen, they completely missed the significance of Jesus' birth.

36
00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:20,640
Mary didn't miss it, of course.

37
00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:25,320
She was in the middle of it, but I'm sure this promise did not come when or where she

38
00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:26,880
thought it would.

39
00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:30,840
We have to lay down our expectations about the promise we're waiting for so we don't

40
00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,700
misread it or miss it altogether.

41
00:02:33,700 --> 00:02:39,720
When the Jesus Movement revival swept across the country back in the 1970s, God saved hippies,

42
00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:44,640
juggies, violent gang members, and others that church people were not quite ready for.

43
00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:49,360
When they arrived at the door of the churches, they were full of zeal and joy, but they still

44
00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,520
looked like hippies, juggies, and gang members.

45
00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:57,880
The churches that opened the doors and embraced this sudden move of God saw exponential growth

46
00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:01,440
not only numerically but also spiritually.

47
00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:07,440
And the revival we are waiting for and praying for won't come as we might expect, but it

48
00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:10,380
will be a glorious work of God.

49
00:03:10,380 --> 00:03:12,920
We have to lay down our expectations.

50
00:03:12,920 --> 00:03:17,000
Second, when the wait is over, the work begins.

51
00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:22,240
I mentioned it earlier, but it bears repeating, once Jesus was born, Mary had a lot of work

52
00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:23,360
to do.

53
00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:25,680
At that time, Jesus was helpless.

54
00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:30,680
He was definitely the Messiah, but Mary had to feed him, burp him, clothe him, change

55
00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,700
him, and everything else moms do for their children.

56
00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:39,680
Her job, her role, wasn't over when the promise came.

57
00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:40,680
That's when life got busy.

58
00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:42,360
I had a promise of my own fulfilled.

59
00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:45,600
When I was in my early 20s, I desired a big family.

60
00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:48,880
When thinking of children, the number six seemed good to me.

61
00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:53,800
But as the years went by and I was still single, I figured that was a dream of my own making,

62
00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:55,360
not one that God had put in my heart.

63
00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:59,040
But then I met my widowed husband-to-be.

64
00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:03,920
And just a month shy of my 40th birthday, I went from being single to being stepmom

65
00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:07,000
of six kids overnight.

66
00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:08,880
As you can imagine, life got very busy.

67
00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,760
And I have to say, it was not how I expected it would happen.

68
00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:16,320
My life changed, and I had a lot more responsibility.

69
00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:20,960
Some days I didn't like the sacrifices I had to make, but that was all part of the

70
00:04:20,960 --> 00:04:25,400
promise fulfilled and one that I'm very glad of.

71
00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:30,280
When salvation comes to a loved one, discipleship will be needed, and that takes effort.

72
00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:34,240
When healing comes, your daily routine will be altered for the good, but work will be

73
00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:35,240
required.

74
00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:39,720
When a promotion comes, there will be more responsibility to manage.

75
00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:43,720
When revival comes, there may be long days and nights of ministry.

76
00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:45,720
It will all be worth it.

77
00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:48,600
But it won't happen without our intense involvement.

78
00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:52,160
So get ready to change and get ready to work.

79
00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:56,880
Third, treasure the moments and all God's wonder in your hearts.

80
00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:58,040
You're going to need it.

81
00:04:58,040 --> 00:04:59,320
Let's set the stage for a minute.

82
00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:03,080
Mary and Joseph had just finished an arduous journey.

83
00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:06,600
We're staying in a stable with some animals, and she went into labor.

84
00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:11,480
Joseph, who likely had never delivered anything before since he was a carpenter, is the one

85
00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:13,360
who delivers Jesus.

86
00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:19,760
They wrap him, laying him in the manger, thinking, whew, now let's get some rest, when suddenly

87
00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:22,760
a bunch of shepherds come running up looking for their baby.

88
00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:28,360
These shepherds are excited, and they tell how angels appeared and told them the Messiah

89
00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:30,760
would be here in the manger.

90
00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:35,440
At this point, I'm sure Mary was exhausted and just wanted to be left alone, but she

91
00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:36,560
knew better.

92
00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:40,200
She knew God was speaking to her through the shepherd's tale.

93
00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:44,560
She took note of what they said and treasured every word.

94
00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:48,920
Over the years, when times were challenging, I have no doubt she remembered it all, and

95
00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:53,760
the words of God she treasured in her heart helped her trust even when she did not understand

96
00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:55,120
what God was doing.

97
00:05:55,120 --> 00:06:00,040
Fourth, be assured God will provide.

98
00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:03,560
After Jesus' birth, Mary and Joseph apparently settled in Bethlehem.

99
00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:09,840
In Matthew 2, 11, we see the Magi find Mary and Jesus in a house.

100
00:06:09,840 --> 00:06:14,240
Maybe they were still hostility in Nazareth about Mary's premarital pregnancy and it

101
00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,240
was easier to live in Bethlehem.

102
00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:22,480
Maybe there was more work for Joseph in Bethlehem, but for whatever reason, they stayed.

103
00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:26,680
We don't know exactly how long they were there, but it could have been up to two years.

104
00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:31,040
And based on the little we know, it seems like they were doing okay.

105
00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:36,880
Even the Magi present them with some very valuable gifts just in time for their flight

106
00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:37,880
to Egypt.

107
00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:42,840
Joseph and Mary had no idea they'd be fleeing in the middle of the night to another country.

108
00:06:42,840 --> 00:06:48,000
I'm sure they couldn't take much, but they could use the gifts the Magi gave to live

109
00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:51,080
on until Joseph could find some work again.

110
00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:54,800
That might have been what sustained Mary and her family after Joseph's death as well.

111
00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:56,160
We just don't know.

112
00:06:56,160 --> 00:07:02,280
So even if stewarding the promise God is giving you seems like it requires more resources

113
00:07:02,280 --> 00:07:06,400
than you have, be assured God will provide.

114
00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:09,640
Finally, quick obedience is required.

115
00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:13,320
There is generally fierce opposition whenever God's at work.

116
00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:17,520
Of course God is able to bring to completion everything He starts, but quick obedience

117
00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:19,400
on our part is required.

118
00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:23,160
When Herod heard that Messiah was born, he was enraged.

119
00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:28,280
He ordered the slaughter of every boy near Bethlehem that was two years old or younger.

120
00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:32,920
So in the middle of another night, an angel woke up Joseph and told him to get up and

121
00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:35,320
take Mary and Jesus to Egypt.

122
00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:37,840
Mary and Joseph didn't wait until morning.

123
00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:40,120
They got up right then and there.

124
00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:45,120
God could have hidden and protected Jesus in Bethlehem, but His purposes required them

125
00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:46,500
to go to Egypt.

126
00:07:46,500 --> 00:07:52,860
It fulfilled a prophecy about Messiah that had been given in Hosea 11 verse 1.

127
00:07:52,860 --> 00:07:58,600
Even after our promise comes, we may not always understand what God is doing, but we can trust

128
00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:00,800
He knows what's best.

129
00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:04,600
So when He speaks to us, obey His voice quickly.

130
00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:08,680
I'm excited about all God has in store for us this year.

131
00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:12,800
I believe many things we've been waiting on will come to pass.

132
00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:18,320
When they do, we must embrace the change their fulfillment brings into our lives.

133
00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:23,320
Let's lay down our expectations of how, when, and through whom God will work.

134
00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:28,400
We must be ready to roll up our sleeves and do the work required to steward well what

135
00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,600
God brings into our lives.

136
00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:34,720
Treasure every God encounter and every word of encouragement.

137
00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:39,520
Be assured that God will provide everything we need to do His will.

138
00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:47,560
And joyfully and quickly obey God's voice so He can continue to move in, for, and through

139
00:08:47,560 --> 00:08:48,560
you.

140
00:08:48,560 --> 00:08:50,320
Let me pray for you.

141
00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:54,880
Heavenly Father, you know the plans you have for us, plans to prosper us and give us a

142
00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:55,880
future and a hope.

143
00:08:55,880 --> 00:09:01,480
I thank you that this year, 2023, will be a year of seeing your hand at work, doing

144
00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:03,600
more than we could ask or think.

145
00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:08,520
Father, I ask you to encourage and equip the precious saints who listened to this episode.

146
00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:13,640
2 Peter 1:3 tells us that your divine power has given us everything we need for a godly

147
00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:15,900
life, so thank you.

148
00:09:15,900 --> 00:09:19,520
And now Lord, I ask that you would quickly fulfill the promises we've been waiting

149
00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:21,680
and praying and believing for.

150
00:09:21,680 --> 00:09:24,280
Let us see them burst forth in the natural realm.

151
00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:29,740
Salvation, healing, deliverance, promotion, expansion, all for your glory.

152
00:09:29,740 --> 00:09:33,120
And I ask all this in the precious name of Jesus.

153
00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:34,120
Amen.

154
00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:35,560
Thank you for tuning in.

155
00:09:35,560 --> 00:09:39,520
In my next episode, you'll hear another God story that will equip and encourage you

156
00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:41,320
in your walk with the Lord.

157
00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:46,160
In our show notes at hergodstory.org, you can find links to scriptures and other helpful

158
00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:47,160
information.

159
00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:51,800
You can also download a free six-week devotional on Women of the Bible to help you start the

160
00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:53,080
year right.

161
00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:58,080
Or purchase a 12-week devotional book for just $12 and all the proceeds will go to help

162
00:09:58,080 --> 00:09:59,840
widows and orphans.

163
00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:04,440
We ask that you also consider a generous donation to our Widow and Orphan Fund by clicking on

164
00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:09,280
the widow and orphan link at the top of the hergodstory.org page.

165
00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:15,440
We'd love to pray for you on our 24-7 prayer and text line, so give us a call anytime at

166
00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:21,520
855-459-CARE or email us at prayer@somebodycares.org.

167
00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:25,540
If you enjoyed this podcast, please review it on your favorite streaming service and

168
00:10:25,540 --> 00:10:28,640
share it with someone you know who might enjoy it, too.

169
00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:33,560
And now, dear friends, I bless you with 2 Corinthians 13 :14.

170
00:10:33,560 --> 00:10:39,120
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy

171
00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:43,400
Spirit be with you all year long.

172
00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:47,440
Her God Story is a ministry of Somebody Cares America and international.

173
00:10:47,440 --> 00:11:16,280
To find out more about or support the ministry, go to somebodycares.org.