Be Prepared to Be Still (Luke 1:26-38).

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) Be still, and know that I am God.
 
If God were to tell you that something was going to happen to you in the future, then what questions or emotions would you have?
And what would be your mindset as you enter into the scenario to come?
 
Will I have to go through this alone?
Will I be afraid?
Will making it through this really be possible?
Can I take His word for it?
 
Oftentimes, by means of others, God answers your questions before you even knew you’d have any…and He knows just how to ease your mind.

Keep in mind that the name Gabriel means God is my strength…something that God knew Mary would need to keep at the forefront of her mind as she received this news.
 
Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV) 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel [God is my strength] was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

In Luke 1:26-38, God already knew that Mary would feel…

• Vs. 29…Not just troubled, but He adds Greatly Troubled (NIV).
  • When someone is greatly troubled…that troubling thing has the potential to…
    • Make you feel distant from God during this time (Psalm 30:7)
    • Bring about sudden and noticeable change to one’s demeanor. Sudden shame, shock, and fear (Psalm 6:10; Daniel 5:9; 7:28; Luke 1:12)
    • Some might internalize all that they’re experiencing (Dan. 7:28)
    • Consume or overwhelm their heart, mind, life, thoughts, and memories (Genesis 41:8; 2 Kings 6:11; Psalm 6:3; 77:3; Daniel 7:28; John 13:21)
    • Some might lose heart (2 Samuel 4:1)
    • Some might resort to complaining about their situation at hand (Psalm 77:3)
    • Effect your Leadership and your followers (Matthew 2:3)
    • Cause you to empathize with those who are experiencing troubling times (John 11:33)…something Mary and Elizabeth could share.
    • You might be greatly trouble because of what you saw or heard (Luke 1:29)
    • You might be greatly troubled because someone close to you betrayed you (John 13:21)
• Vs. 34…God knew she would have questions…how could this really come to be?
  • It’s ok to respectfully question God. He wants to hear you share your heart with Him. He had answers prepared for her before she even had questions for Him.

 
So, to put her mind at ease, by means of using the angel Gabriel, He goes ahead and addresses the questions He knew Mary would have…

• Will I have to go through this alone?
  • Vs. 28…Gabriel states, The Lord is with you. Immanuel.
    • Standing Still (2 Chronicles 20:17)
    • God is going through this with me (2 Chronicles 15:2)
    • Courage (Judges 6:12)
    • Confidence to do anything…no fear or distress (2 Samuel 7:3; 2 Chronicles 20:17)
    • Believing that He will provide salvation (2 Chron. 20:17)
    • Rejoicing (Luke 1:28)
    • With hopes that how I handle this can be a testimony to all on-lookers (Genesis 26:28)
  • Vs. 36…Elizabeth can share in your experience.
    • She can relate with you. She may not be a virgin, but her situation is unique as well. She is old and it’s unusual for someone her age to be pregnant.
• Will I be afraid?
  • Vs. 30…Do not be afraid.
    • God prepares you ahead of time how He’d have you respond (Deuteronomy 20:3; Proverbs 3:25; Isaiah 37:6; Jeremiah 10:5; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30; 5:10; Acts 18:9; 27:24; 1 Peter 3:14)
    • Fear has the potential to paralyze and or take you down (Matthew 17:7)
    • Choose to be still in the moment (Exodus 14:13)
    • Because the God of Peace is in this place…He’s always presently with you throughout your experiences. He wants to show you how to turn your Fear to Cheering/Rejoicing (Genesis 15:1; 43:23; 50:19; Deuteronomy 20:1; Joshua 1:9; Jeremiah 1:8; 42:11; Matthew 14:27; 17:7; Mark 6:50; Luke 2:10; John 6:20; Revelation 1:17)
    • He’s proven Himself to you time after time (Deut. 20:1)
    • God will take care of the situation you face (Joshua 10:25; 11:6; 2 Chronicles 20:15; Isaiah 10:24)
    • God will provide for you (Genesis 50:21).
    • God will save and protect you (Genesis 15:1; Exodus 14:13)
    • Provide you with comfort (Genesis 50:21)
    • God commands us to not be afraid or distressed. He will provide us with the strength and courage we need to make it through (Joshua 1:9; 8:1; 10:25 ; 2 Kings 1:15; 2 Kings 19:6; 2 Chronicles 20:15; 32:7; Ezekiel 2:6; Matthew 28:10)
    • Understand that in Him, we always win in the end (Joshua 8:1)
    • Fear has the tendency to get our sights and minds off the Lord. Our memories ought to remind us how great and awesome God has been, is, and will always be in our lives. Only Believe (Nehemiah 4:14; Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50)
    • God will deliver you…make a way to escape (Jeremiah 1:8; Jeremiah 42:11)
    • Consider the source (Ezekiel 2:6; 3:9; Luke 12:4; 1 Peter 3:14)
    • God hears your prayers (Luke 1:13)…Will I be afraid?
• Will making it through this really be possible?
  • Vs. 37…no word from God will ever fail…For with God nothing will be impossible (Joshua 21:45; 23:14; I Kings 8:56; Isaiah 48:3; Mark 10:27)

 
By God meeting Mary where she was and answering her immediate / most important questions, she was able to respond in the moment…

• Vs. 38…I am the Lord’s servant…LORD, use me.
  • That’s learned trust…remarkable, considering Mary was so young. She didn't tell Gabriel that she'd need to check with her mom or dad first. Though young, she was very mature in her responses. 
• Vs. 38…May your word to me be fulfilled…Let it be to me according to your word.
  • Whatever You say, let it come to be. 
  • God’s word can…
    • Be fulfilled (1 Kings 8:20)
    • Provide understanding (Psalm 119:169)
    • Cleanse one’s ways (Psalm 119:9)
    • Bring about revival (Psalm 119:25, 107, 154)
    • Provide strength (Psalm 119:28, 116).
      • Gabriel means God is my Strength. Mary had that reminder in front of her this entire time…most likely she knew what his name meant when she heard it.  
    • Provide mercy (Psalm 119:41, 58, 76)
    • Provide Salvation (Psalm 119:41)
    • Provide deliverance (Psalm 119:170)
    • Express God’s goodness (Psalm 119:65)
    • Provide peace (Luke 2:29)

 
Conclusion:

• Be prepared to be still during whatever situation God allows to come your way.
• Go through different life scenarios in your mind,
  • don’t be afraid to ask God the questions you have…to share the concerns you have.
  • He already knows what questions you’ll have or already have anyway.
• Remember, He won’t give you more than you can handle (1 Cor. 10:13).