The impossibility of impossibility

When the angel Gabriel came to Mary and announced that she would give birth to Christ there was more to his message than just a simple explanation about what was going to happen in the months to come. Sure, Gabriel revealed to her that she would give birth to the Son of God, what He would be called, and how great His kingdom would be. But that wasn't all he declared to her. A simple and profound declaration about God's character was slipped in at the very end.

"For nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

A virgin giving birth? Yeah, right! Mary had a legitimate reason to be a little confused at first. She was no dummy. She understood the basics of biology. But, in her response to Gabriel's explanation we see in this short episode of her life an indicator as to why she found favor with God.

"May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

She believed in the impossibility of impossibility.

She was one who clearly understood all that God had promised to Israel in years past, as seen in her offering of praise in Luke 1:46-55. Perhaps the story flashed to her memory of Abraham and Sarah giving birth in their old age, and how upon hearing Sarah's laughter the Lord asked Abraham, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14). Or, perhaps she thought of Jeremiah's prayer, "Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You" (Jeremiah 32:17). Whatever it was that went through her mind it didn't take long for her to simply respond with faith.

That has always been and always will be the mark of finding favor with God. Trusting Him at His Word (no matter how impossible it may seem) and obeying.

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6