Presenting a Prophet

September 30, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

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Isaiah 21

Many jobs seem to be glamorous to the human mind. Flight attendants, for example, get to travel the world. No one sees the sleeplessness caused by perpetual time zone changes. Nor do the passengers care if the person serving them has needs as simple as eating or washroom breaks…after all the passenger comes first….. and so health issues evolve from job-related limitations.

In years gone by a prophet was someone of status. After all they were connected with God. Even today people want to be known for their ability to prophesy, but I wonder if they are willing to pay the price?

It would take a book to comprehensively study the lives of more than one prophet, so let’s just glimpse into Isaiah’s life for the moment. My morning devotions came from Isaiah 21 where he records a vision that staggered and bewildered him (21:3). Reaction set in – even his body was racked with pain. His heart faltered and fear made him tremble (:4).

Isaiah had just come through three years of going barefoot, stripped of warm garments in order to play out the coming judgment against Egypt, in the dress of a prisoner of war. His entire life, committed to serving God, required that he even name his children according to the word of the Lord. Isaiah 7:3 – Shear-Jashub means “a remnant shall return”. His second son was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, meaning “quick to plunder, swift to the spoil ”(8:3).

Now God was giving Isaiah words of prophecy against Babylon, Edom and Arabia. “The Lord God of Israel has spoken” (:17). However, God’s judgement doesn’t end there. Jerusalem also falls under God’s condemnation. Why? They had ignored God (22:11). This is an unforgivable sin, then and now. Those that joy in revelry, eating and drinking and making merry without thought for tomorrow (22:12-13) will be judged (22:14).

Imagine the response to such a prophecy, from the people of God. The Israelites were not impressed. Prophets did not hold an enviable position. They were ridiculed, ignored and persecuted for giving unfavourable messages from God. Then as now, people chose to hear what they wanted to hear.

Paul warned Timothy “I give you this charge”. That sounds terribly important! “Preach the Word! Be prepared in season and out of season;, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Prophets today remind us that Jesus is coming again, but how many want to get ready for that great event? Sadly the church is even lukewarm to the message that instructs us to be vigilant. Resting on wealth and comfort as our “right” we fail to realize that we may be among those who are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Those are the words of Jesus as He prophesied about end times (Revelation 3:17).

Reflection:

What is it you want to hear from God, if you are honest?

What words of prophecy are most often taught by the church today?

Are we listening to the words of our Prophet, Priest and King?

Is your heart lukewarm?

Devotional

How Should I Pray?

September 21, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

Proverbs 12:18

Recently I learned a dear old friend has stage 2 Parkinson’s Disease. This man is a servant of God, having been in ministry from his youth. I know God’s children are not immune, but he has suffered so much down through years of time. How can I pray? What prayer will be pleasing to God? What does the heart of God feel at this time?

Within the past two weeks it happens I had been exploring a book on prayer. Under three major headings the author discusses “Moving Inward”…seeking the transformation we need, “Moving Upward”…seeking the intimacy we need and “Moving Outward….seeking the ministry we need. Those titles may seem either heavy, or very sublime, depending upon where we are in our journey with God. However, Richard Foster begins by saying that “God is big enough to receive us with all our mixture“ of tangled motives for praying. We come to Him sometimes with selfish or merciful, hateful or loving, bitter or altruistic motives hoping our prayers might play a part in unravelling the good from the bad, the pure from the impure.

Now I would pray for healing for my friend. Why? I do not want him to suffer anymore. Then I remember when my father was terminally ill. At eighty-three God healed him in the best way possible. He put him in a place where there is no more pain or sorrow; He took him home to heaven. Again, as human beings we wrestle with mixed feelings – loss, sorrow, thankfulness, and even joy, when our loved ones are relieved of earthly struggles. We come to God acknowledging that His ways are best, though left to our own devices we would often “fix things” by delaying the wonderful home-going that all Christians must look forward to. Why?

Shouldn’t we pray for healing? Let’s not forget healing takes shape on many levels. Our finite minds can hardly take in the possibilities under the care of an infinite God. The Book of Proverbs tells us “The tongue of the wise brings healing” (12:18). Solomon knew that hasty words and lies demonstrate the weakness of a man’s understanding. A prudent man overlooks insult, knowing there is joy for those who promote peace. The first form of healing comes to each of us from within, as we find our lives being transformed by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps this is why Foster puts “Moving Inward” as number one.

Painful as physical ills may be, there is a wounding of the heart that requires supernatural power and so we seek for healing as we attempt to forgive others. After all we are taught by Jesus’ words and example to forgive others in order for us to receive the exquisite forgiveness of God when we pray (Matthew 6:12). Intimacy with God fixes our minds and hearts on “what would Jesus do” in every situation.

We worship Jesus for the miracles of healing which He performed. This gives us the courage to pray for physical healing today. The testimonies of many attest to the power of God to perform the impossible; Jesus Himself declared that with God anything is possible (Matthew 19:26). Do we believe it?

The critical thing is for us to know the mind of God – His desires for those for whom we pray. As we rush into the presence of God, breathless with anxiety, do we ever pause to embrace the fact His ways are beyond understanding, and that He is perfect in all His ways?

Reflection:

In this generation, when the immediate is primary, how often do we reflect on God’s will and ways. Do our past experiences with God bring delight to our quiet hours of meditation? What do we hang our hopes on? When we pray do we truly know the greatness of our God? Do we desire His pure and holy will be done? We are all familiar with Jesus’ words “Ask, seek, knock”, but the asking becomes more difficult when it requires us to spend time getting to know God’s ways. Only then can we pray in Jesus’ name. Only then can we enter into the reality God’s work, instead of relying on our own narrow hopes and dreams. The greatest prayer we can pray for another is that they might know the delight of God’s presence and peace in the midst of whatever He allows to come into their lives.

Devotional

In Awesome Wonder

August 28, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

Revelation 12:10-12

“Oh Lord my God when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made….”

Matt Redman wrote a story about renewal. He understood heart longings for something bigger and better on one’s spiritual journey and the starting point, he discovered, is Jesus! It is that simple.

“When the music fades, all is stripped away and I simply come, longin’ just to bring something that’s of worth that

will bless Your heart. I’ll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required. You search

much deeper within, through the ways things appear; You’re looking into my heart!

I’m comin’ back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.”

The song-writer goes on to apologize for the thing he has made of worship, when it is all about Jesus, “King of endless worth!” In fact, he thought no one could express just how much Jesus, King of Kings, deserves. This begs the question – why do so many of our so-called worship songs talk about me and my experience when it should be all about Him and His experience – glorious Saviour and Lord!

One only has to look into the face of a flower to know the intricacies of design. But the detail of creation is only superseded by the vastness of the universe. Another song-writer expressed it as “Awesome Wonder”! God’s design – In the beginning, John wrote (John 1:1-3), Jesus, the Word of God came down to live among men and women. Awesome! God with us – written on some currency, written on some hearts!

Do you know that the hymn “How Great Thou Art” is second favourite to Amazing Grace? It is God’s grace that covers the sins of those who believe and receive Jesus as Saviour and Lord, those who identify themselves as sinners in need of mercy and grace. The hymnwriter puts himself in the same category – “wretch” he calls it.

Wretchedness is defined for us by google as “the state of being extremely unhappy, miserable or in deep physical and emotional distress.… commonly used to describe severe suffering or deep poverty”. Jesus said “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3) meaning that when we come to God it is with the reality of His Sovereignty in mind, compared to our wretchedness.

Reflection:

When we worship God in spirit and in truth, then, it must be with the effect His majesty has upon us. In Revelation we find the 24 elders, with multitudes, bowing down before the Lord Jesus, singing praises for His sacrifice at Calvary (Revelation 5, 7, 19). He is often described as “the Lamb”, that sacrificial Lamb of prophecy, fulfilled in our Lord. If this isn’t awesome what is?

Devotional

The Shortest Prayer

October 30, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Luke 23:42

At Easter we learn some things about the power of prayer! Jesus prayed with His disciples, for His disciples. They could not have envisioned all that was going to take place after their Passover Feast, but they were beginning to feel anxious. Jesus sensed that, telling them not to let their hearts by troubled (John 14:1). He went on to talk about heaven. When our hearts are troubled do we turn our thoughts towards heaven?

Then He finished that special dinner with them by interceding on their behalf (John 17). He prayed for the protection of believers (:11) – which includes you and me today. He also prayed for their sanctification (:17) as well as for their unity (:21-23). His prayer began with asking God to glorify His Son (:1), and ends by His asking that the Father would ultimately glorify all His children (:24).

For those of us who find it difficult to spend time in prayer, this may have seemed a long one. However, Jesus prayed once again in the garden of Gethsemane. This time it was with infinitely more intensity! His own heart was troubled, greatly troubled! He experienced a rare phenomenon called hematidrosis. Only in extreme agony can blood be expelled through the sweat glands, resulting in the skin become very tender and fragile. Consider that through the night and into the day, His skin was put to the test with frequent beatings. Knowing all things, Jesus knew what agonies He faced as He prayed in the Garden that night.

However, Jesus was silent before His accusers. He acknowledged only that He was indeed King of the Jews. Hanging on the cross He had brief interaction with His heavenly Father only twice. He called on God to forgive His persecutors, generously reminding God they didn’t understand the depth of their sin. The second cry of agony came as He was separated from His Father for the first and only time.

Just before that cry of agony, Jesus’ compassion could be seen as He cared for His mother. Also, He cared about sinners who repented until the last moment of His life. As His blood was poured out for the men beside Him, only one received forgiveness of sins along with the promise that that very day they would be together in Paradise.

Reflection:

Our prayer of repentance doesn’t have to be couched in theological language, carefully intoned. In this account of 3 men hanging side by side on crosses, we hear the whisper “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”. Short and to the point…he didn’t list all of his sins, but this man recognized Jesus as Sovereign God! What a revelation! What a moment – only one or two minutes between him and eternity! It is never too late, while we draw breath. It was a short prayer, heart to heart.

Devotional

Soldiers

September 1, 2025 Admin1 Comment

1 Timothy 1:18-19

Language changes over time. For example, Latin is no longer a living language, though it forms the basis of so many of our words. When Isaac Watts penned the question “Am I a soldier of the cross” was he asking believers to examine their defenses or to be proactive? To what lengths would we go to defend our faith? Does he refer to a blood-bath or to a battle of words, of ideas?

Isaac Watts asked more questions, soul-searching questions. Do we blush to speak the name of Jesus, fearful because it is politically incorrect? What suffering would ensue if we talked about the One who died that we might live? It would be big news around the office, if our lives had been rescued in any other way.

Then he examines our expectations:

Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas? Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God. Paul wrote to Timothy regarding the battles he would face in his ministry. The reason he gave Timothy so many instructions was to equip him to “fight the good fight [while] holding on to faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18-19). He warns Timothy that soldiers of Christ will endure hardship (2:3). Sure I must fight if I would reign; Increase my courage, Lord. I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
When we are faced with persecution, at work or even within our families, Paul encourages us from his own experience with suffering. “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory!” (2 Timothy 2:10). The internal battle against self must first be won before we can love others enough to wage war on their behalf. Perhaps we could label this the battle of love. As soldiers of Christ we are also called to be peace-keepers. Peace is a sign to the world that we are under the authority of Christ (Colossians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:16). How often do we cry out for peace within our own hearts? Imagine the pain of others who do not have access to the Prince of Peace. Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye. When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.

Reflection:

Let us remember those values for which so many Canadians have fought throughout our history. Founded on Christian principles, let us thank God for the faith of our fathers.

By Marilyn Daniels

Devotional

Jesus Stooped Down

August 5, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

John 8:2-8

Max Lucado, taking his words from the NLT translation, points to a rather insignificant action in Jesus’ life. Or was it more of a habit than we realize. Jesus stooped down to scoop little children up into His arms (Mark 10:14). He loved them – and songs have been written about that love, the one most famous goes around the world. I was riding on a bus in Zambia when the group burst forth into “Jesus Loves Me This I Know”. In full five-part Zambian harmony, without accompaniment, their voices worshiped God for His great love!

At a Conference in New Zealand a group in ministry emulated the Master who stooped down to wash His disciples’ feet (John 13:5, 14), as we washed one another’s feet. For me it was one of the most memorably moving moments in my life! Humbling! “Dear Jesus – thank you for showing me the way to honour You by honouring my brothers and sisters!”

Peter obeyed the call of Jesus to ‘come’. He actually walked on water! But when he felt the wind and realized how high the waves were – it was no ordinary calm sea he was taking on – Peter began to sink and cried out for Jesus to save him (Matthew 14:28-31). Jesus leaned out/stooped to catch him by the hand.

Jesus was a person of prayer. Talking with His Father was crucial. He did it standing up as well as in other postures. See Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knelt. He stooped before His Father in the most critical decision-making event of His life! Luke tells us an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him for the trauma that lay ahead (Luke 22:39-43). And there, in a posture of abject humility Jesus sweat great drops of blood as He faced the torture, the rejection and utter abandonment of the cross, and all its preliminary persecution.

Under the weight of that cross Jesus also stooped and probably stumbled. He had been beaten unmercifully, but He carried on His responsibility until relieved by the Roman soldiers who ordered Simon to help him (Mark 15:21). In stooping under that cross Jesus was bearing your sin and mine! As we stoop under the burdens we bear let us remember that Jesus stoops with us in an act of utter commitment to the end!

There is at least one other occasion recorded in scripture of when Jesus stooped down. He wrote something in the dirt (John 8:6, and 8). We are not told what it said, but we do know it was a significant gesture. Was He stalling for time while the crowd raged against a woman who had sinned? Was He deflecting attention away from her scantily clad body (after all she had been dragged from the bed of her lover “Caught”!) Max Lucado wondered if Jesus was reliving the day of creation when man was formed out of the dust of the earth, and thinking how easy it is for earthly beings to do earthly things?

Reflection:

How many times have you been sinking and Jesus has stooped to lift you out of a pit, out of raging seas?

Are you stooping as you bear the burden of another?

Next time you stoop to do a menial task, to look into the eyes of a child, to lift someone who is sinking, remember Jesus stooped down!

by Marilyn Daniels

Devotional

Called By the Master

July 30, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 10:1-10

The Bible is amazingly relevant for today. Throughout every era in human history God has been calling people. It started in the Garden of Eden when He didn’t find Adam and Eve; because of their sin they had hidden from their Maker and friend, but God in His great love continued to call. It would take an entire book to review all those recorded in scripture who were called by God, but a few are outstanding. Note as we remember Samuel’s experience, that God even called children (1 Samuel 3).

Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him to commission them for a life-long task. First, He gave them authority over evil spirits and disease (Matthew 10:1). Among the many who followed Jesus these, particularly chosen for specifics tasks, were named (:2-4). Jesus outlines specific conditions for working for Him. These twelve were to go to Israel, particularly those in Israel who were lost (:6). Who were they? Certainly they were not to go to the Gentile community with the gospel message (:5). Why was that?

Jesus, knowing all things from the beginning to the end (He is the Alpha and Omega Revelation 1:8) already had His missionary to the Gentiles picked out. In fact Saul was probably born around that time. It would take eleven dedicated men to witness to the stubborn people of God, but by one very powerful preacher, through the thick and thin of persecution, the Word of God was seeded throughout the Gentile communities of the then-known world.

Being called by the Master would mean persecution. Jesus warned His disciples they would not be appreciated (Matthew 10:22). In fact, they would need to be “shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:14-16). The disciples of every generation, (even in the twenty-first century) learned what those words could mean. But they also knew the joy of the Lord is their strength. The reward of ministry to others brings an incredible sense of purpose and peace.

Many are called (Matthew 22:14). However, Jesus knew responses would differ. There are those who make a profession of faith based on an emotional response. Others make a commitment, by following the Lord in Baptism. Some people make Jesus Lord and Master of their lives, not just Saviour. One pastor used to say “If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all” (Dr. John Moore). How true is that? Ryrie comments: ”There is a general call of God to sinners inviting them to receive His salvation….there is also a specific election that brings some to Him…..man is held responsible for rejecting Christ whether it is because of indifference, rebellion or self-righteousness” (Page 1500).

The Master calls all to “Come unto Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)….emotional rest in the midst of relational storms, spiritual rest when persecuted, physical rest when tired, sick or hungry.

Reflection:

Note God has called sinners, children, disciples, and perhaps even you and me today. How do you feel about that?

Have you been called? To what purpose?

Does it include suffering? (Read Philippians 1:29)

by Marilyn Daniels

Devotional

People of Peace

June 17, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

John 14:27

In a tumultuous era of history we find Jesus reassuring His disciples. “Do not let your hearts be troubled” He says while reflecting on His own up-coming death. They are in the upper room just finishing the Passover Supper.

Passover is a time of remembrance. The young nation of Israel, descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, had been 400 years in Egypt, living in slavery. God heard their cries and finally delivered them, bringing them back to the land He mapped out as Israel, when He gave Abraham the land as an everlasting sign of their covenant relationship. Hundreds of years later Jesus is celebrating Passover.

Troubled times from the beginning until that moment, may have caused the nation’s heart to fear. Yet God still spoke His peace into their hearts. Twice Jesus tells His disciples “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1, 27). He knew they stood on the verge of a painful parting. He was going to return to His Father in heaven, but they would not be alone.

A totally new concept of their relationship with the Father in heaven would flash across their experience after Jesus died, rose, and later ascended into heaven. He needed to prepare them for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We read about this in the book of Acts when the early church was once again gathered together in an upper room (Acts 2:1-4).

Now Jesus urges them to feel His peace. In itself, this is a miracle because His own heart had been troubled (John 12:27). As fully man, although He is God, Jesus felt the weight of His coming Passion – that terrible time of persecution and pain culminating in His death. Now, facing His own destiny, Jesus prescribes peace. The disciples didn’t know until the eleventh hour exactly what was needed to go through the horrific hours ahead. They remembered His words after He was glorified.

They were no longer sitting on a hillside listening to pastoral homilies. They were in Jerusalem where Jesus’ life had been threatened more than once, by His enemies. Would they receive the gift Jesus was bestowing on them. “My peace I give you” Remarkable – born out of His own struggle, His peace was filled with power to endure anything. Did they, could they believe it?

Reflection:

Today so many believers seem to have lost a sense of this marvellous peace. The world, our world is in chaos. Will we allow Jesus to empower us to be about our Father’s business with the peaceful confidence He still wants to use us to accomplish His purposes? The prophets faced persecution and death yet they bravely endured through very troubling times. Perhaps the question we might ask ourselves is: Will we demonstrate our faith in Jesus’ words by becoming People of Peace?

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To Fall Into God’s Hands

June 4, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 65

The Lord God has given Isaiah a vision of great joy. “My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts”! (65:14). However, this verse raises some questions. First who are God’s servants?

Isaiah writes “I reveal Myself to those who did not ask for Me….All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people” (65:1-2). He goes on to describe two people groups, one who continually provoke God and another whom he calls God’s servants. What is the difference?

It becomes quite clear. The prophet sees those who “forsake the Lord” (:11), who did not answer when God called and actually did evil, choosing what displeased God (:12). The contrast continues. There will be consequences of their choices. Those who serve the Lord will experience glorious joy, that wonderful feeling which gushes forth from deep within. Sadly, others will cry out in brokenness of spirit from the anguish which is in their hearts (:14)…people without hope. Perhaps you know folks like that.

But it gets worse. “The Sovereign Lord” takes action. He will put these guilty, forgetful, unfaithful servants to death (:15). Isn’t that a bit drastic? You might ask. This is the word of the Lord to us today. It is a very serious thing to fall into the hands of God. “For we know Him who said ‘It is Mine to avenge; I will repay’, and again ‘The Lord will judge His people’. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Matters of faith are serious stuff!

Contrast this judgment with the wonder of being God’s servants. “My servants will eat…..My servants will drink….My servants will rejoice……to His servants He will give another name” (65:14-15). Then follows a description of the new heaven and the new earth which comes after the Millennial reign of Christ. “Former things will not be remembered” (:17). “The sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more” (:19b). That is Old Testament prophecy. Isn’t it amazing to think these are the scriptures which Christ revered and taught?

Reflection:
These are people who, recognizing the hands which were nailed to the cross, worshiped the Saviour, Jesus Christ the Lord. He isn’t directly mentioned here by Isaiah, but in previous chapters Isaiah gives warning: “See your Saviour comes! See His reward is with Him! They [the servants of the Lord] will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord” (62:11-12). Are you looking forward to receiving the reward given from God’s hands and lips as He welcomes us with “Well done, good and faithful servant”? Matthew 25:21

Marilyns’s Meditations by Marilyn Daniels is now available on Amazon.

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Devotional

The Angel Gabriel

December 25, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Luke 1 & 2

Only two angels in the Bible have been named. The one we are studying is Gabriel, meaning “man of God”. He is best known for the announcements he made regarding Christ’s birth, but as well he can be seen in the Old Testament where he announced God’s plans to Daniel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21).

Gabriel appears first to the priest Zechariah. Luke tells us Zechariah’s division was on duty, he himself chosen by lot to offer the sacrifice of incense in the temple of the Lord (Luke 1:9). People were waiting outside, praying. How startled was this priest when an angel appeared beside him at the altar! Gripped with fear, Zechariah could hardly believe the angel’s message….his barren wife would bear a child! (1:13) There was tremendous hope for Israel, as well as for this childless couple! “He will be great in the eyes of the Lord….to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:16, 17b).

Seeking proof, the angel identified himself to Zechariah. Certain he was a “man of God” Zechariah believed, but he also suffered for doubting. He was struck dumb until the baby was born. People waiting outside for him, marvelled when he returned speechless. They realized he had seen a vision (1:21-22). He couldn’t even tell his wife, in so many words, what had happened to him.

The second time we see Gabriel is also as bearer of great news… “….a virgin, pledged to be married to a man named Joseph” (1:27) received an unusual visitor. Gabriel was sent by God to tell her she was highly favoured – Divinely chosen – to give birth to a son (1:28, 31). This angel was concerned for her emotional well-being. This was not an everyday occurrence so he reassured her first of all that “the Lord is with you” and instructed “Do not be afraid” (1:28, 30).

We see the tender hand of God upon this chosen woman. Her son would be great because he will be called “the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David” (1:32). In fact “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (1:35). Fantastic!

Mary faced a lot of unknowns. How would her family take this news? What about her fiancé Joseph? How about her friends? What about her own personal fears? What changes to her lifestyle was this news going to make? Pregnant before marriage? She would need the support of the Most High!

For some reason the angel who appeared to reassure Joseph was not named (Matthew 1:20). Was it Gabriel? Joseph was to name this baby “Jesus” (Matthew 1:21), the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means “the Lord saves”. This must have been a test of Joseph’s faith, but this name was also reassuring. Something great was about to happen in a world filled with chaos. At last the prayers of the people, for a Deliverer, were going to be answered!

Reflection:

Can you imagine being addressed by an angel in visible form? What was Gabriel’s job description? What was his attitude? How did God show His Divine favour to Mary? Was it in giving her the Holy Spirit in a day when He only made brief appearances? What might have been her thoughts about this experience when 33 years later the Holy Spirit was visibly given to indwell all believers?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)