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not a virgin womb? If the supernatural and instructive: “And Mary said, Behold
could happen to her cousin, why not to the handmaid [servant] of the Lord; be it
Mary also? unto me according to thy word. And the
Gabriel appears to be breaking news to angel departed from her” (v38). Unlike
Mary of which she was not aware. After Zacharias, who failed to believe Gabriel’s
all, Elisabeth “hid herself five months” message (v20), Mary’s response was sub-
(v24). The narrative to follow has Mary missive faith. She had been preparing for
traveling with haste to find her cousin marriage and suddenly she would have
(v39). As Elisabeth was at the end of her to prepare for motherhood. Mary could
second trimester, it would be visually clear have said, “Not me, Gabriel. You must
that Gabriel’s words were true. What great have the wrong Mary. Pick another young
encouragement this would be for Mary. woman. I can’t do this. I’m out.” Instead,
Let’s not miss another encouragement, she said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let
however. The last thing Gabriel said to it be.” She heard what sounded like the
Mary was, “For with God nothing shall impossible. She believed it. She embraced
be impossible” (v37). This would prompt it. And so, while some have thought too
Mary to recall similar words from Genesis much of Mary, let us not think too little
18:14, where the Lord spoke to a post- of her. These many centuries later, we’re
menopausal Sarah, promising a son to still calling her what Gabriel and Elisabeth
her. So, two things were given to Mary to called her, and what Mary called herself
stimulate her faith: remember Elisabeth, – blessed (vv28,42,48). And the “highly
remember Sarah. How good God is! favored” Mary, because she submitted
to God’s will, paved the way for all of us
Let It Be (1:38) to be highly favored through the Son she
Mary’s reaction to it all is beautiful would deliver.

Pakistan Continued from p. 231

There is now a team of men visiting the passion, courage and zeal to serve the
the prisons, another visiting existing as- Lord in a dangerous country.
semblies to teach, and many evangelists
who go from village to village, either by Please pray:
bus or motorbike (which were supplied by 1. For the preservation of individual
saints from the UK and North America), believers.
preaching the gospel. All believers need to 2. For the strengthening and develop-
be extremely wise and cautious as evange- ment of each assembly.
lising people of the “M” faith is illegal, so 3. For the development of gift among
most evangelism is done among nominal evangelists, elders and teachers.
Christians and people of other religions, 4. For wisdom for all involved in sup-
such as Hindus. porting this work, that we will be “helpers
These believers will know far less than of their joy” and not “masters over their
most of this magazine's readers but have faith” (2Co 1:24).

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