Devoted To God’s Promises | Luke 1:39-56
In a world filled with broken promises and scams that sound too good to be true, it’s easy to let skepticism seep into our most important relationships—including our relationship with God. If you’ve ever read the fine print on a too-good-to-be-true job offer, or felt the sting of disappointment from a friend or loved one, you know just how easy it is to carry that doubt forward. But what if God’s promises really are different? What if, instead of skepticism, we learned to respond with excitement, belief, and praise?
Drawing inspiration from Pastor Jim Toth’s sermon on Luke 1:39-56, let’s explore how Mary, Elizabeth, and others responded to God’s extraordinary promises—and learn how we can let these responses shape our own faith.
1. The World’s Promises vs. God’s Promises
Pastor Toth opens his sermon by sharing a relatable story: an enticing text message with the promise of easy money, remote work, and a flexible schedule. It sounds amazing—except it’s a scam. These kinds of false promises are everywhere, fostering a culture where we hesitate to trust anyone, even God.
But the Bible assures us that God is not like that. His Word and His promises are not scams. The truth found in Jesus Christ is trustworthy, and yet—because of our past experiences—we might still find it hard to believe.
So, how should we respond when God makes a promise? Pastor Toth highlights three biblical ways: with excitement, belief, and praise.
2. Responding with Excitement
“Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
(Luke 1:45)
When Mary received an angelic message announcing her miraculous pregnancy, she didn’t hesitate. The very next thing she did was visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also experiencing a miracle of her own. The excitement between these women was palpable—even unborn babies responded! Elizabeth’s baby, John the Baptist, leaped for joy in the womb upon hearing Mary’s voice.
How can we reclaim that kind of excitement for God’s promises in our own lives?
Recognize Jesus’ Presence: Like John in the womb, we too can experience the joy of Christ’s presence daily. Whether we’re in moments of crisis or calm, remembering that God is with us can foster spiritual excitement.
Reflect on God’s Work: It’s easy to focus on prayers that haven’t been answered the way we want. But pausing to remember all of the ways God has come through—big and small—helps rekindle excitement.
Celebrate the Beginnings: Just as families celebrate graduations as a new chapter, we should rejoice when we see God beginning a new work in our lives or the lives of those we love.
Maybe you’ve hit a rut in your spiritual life and don’t “feel” excited anymore. Take time to recognize where you see Jesus at work, reflect on past blessings, and celebrate the new things God is doing. Excitement isn’t just a feeling—it’s a choice to recognize God’s hand at work.
3. Responding with Belief
Skepticism is natural in a world full of letdowns. Even in Mary’s story, skepticism and belief stand side-by-side through her cousin Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah.
When told that his wife would bear a son, Zechariah responded, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” As a result of his doubt, Zechariah was rendered mute until his son was born. Mary, on the other hand, asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” but received no rebuke, only encouragement.
What’s the difference?
Both asked questions, but Mary’s was rooted in faith, seeking understanding, while Zechariah’s was rooted in disbelief. Words matter, but the heart behind them matters more. When we encounter a promise of God in Scripture, do we respond with doubt, or with a posture that says, “I don’t see how this will happen, but I trust You”?
How to Strengthen Your Belief in God’s Promises
Know the Word: Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” The more Scripture we know, the more equipped we are to resist doubt. Memorizing and meditating on God’s promises helps build spiritual resilience.
Adopt Humility: Pride can make us believe we know better than God. Humility opens us up to trusting in what we don’t yet understand.
Acknowledge Your Fear of Disappointment: If people have failed you, expecting disappointment from God can become second nature. Recognize this tendency, but remember: God never fails, never abandons, and never breaks His promises.
4. Responding with Praise
Mary’s response to God’s promise wasn’t just excitement and belief—she responded with a song. Her “Magnificat” is one of the most beautiful hymns of praise recorded in Scripture. She magnifies the Lord, rejoicing in His mercy, His power, and His faithfulness to fulfill promises made centuries earlier.
Praise is powerful. As Pastor Toth jokingly illustrates with a story about a dog “rewarded” for fetching newspapers from every neighbor on the block, praise inspires action. For us, praising God reminds us of His greatness. It shifts our focus off our problems and onto His faithfulness.
Ways to Praise God for His Promises
Declare God’s Faithfulness: Remind yourself and others how God has delivered, provided, and protected.
Sing and Worship: Whether it’s a classic hymn or a simple thank you in prayer, praise centers our hearts on God’s goodness.
Pass On the Praises: Like Mary, share testimonies. Tell others about how God has been faithful to you—this both encourages others and strengthens your own faith.
5. God’s Promise of Salvation: The Ultimate Promise
God’s greatest promise is salvation through Jesus Christ. Pastor Toth closes with a powerful story from the Titanic: as survivors floated on wreckage, one man called out, “Are you saved?” His question led another survivor to trust in Jesus, even as physical rescue was uncertain.
You may not know what tomorrow holds—none of us know when our own “iceberg” moment may come. But we can be sure of this: God’s promises of salvation and eternal life through Jesus are certain. All we have to do is believe, turn to Him, and receive the gift that He offers.
Conclusion
In a skeptical world, God calls us to respond to His promises differently: with excitement, with belief, and with praise. If you’re reading this today, consider how you’re responding to God’s promises in your own life. Are you letting past disappointments hold you back, or are you trusting in the One who never fails?
Let’s follow the example Mary set: believe what God has said, get excited about what He’s doing, and never stop praising Him for all He’s done—and all He promises still to do.
