Luke 1 Devotional

Promises That Cannot Fail

“For no word from God will ever fail.””Luke 1:37 (BSB)

Luke 1 sets two announcements side by side. In the temple, Gabriel tells the priest Zechariah that his prayer has been heard: his wife Elizabeth, who has never been able to have children, will have a son. Zechariah asks how he can be sure, and he is left unable to speak until it happens (1:7, 1:13-20). Months later Gabriel tells Mary that she will bear the Son of the Most High, whose kingdom will have no end (1:31-33). She asks how this can be, then yields to God's word as his servant (1:34-38).

Behind both stories stands the angel's reason: nothing God says will ever fall short (1:37). John is born, and Zechariah speaks again, praising God (1:64). Both Mary and Zechariah sing of a God who remembers his promise to Abraham (1:54-55, 1:72-73). Even Zechariah's doubt could not stop the promise, because it rested on God's faithfulness, not his. You can bring God your questions honestly and still lean on what he has said.

To think about: Which of God's promises do you find hardest to believe right now, and what would it look like to bring that doubt to him honestly?