Promise Kept

"Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” (Luke 1:29-33 New Living Translation)

Confused, disturbed, afraid. These words describe Mary's reaction to the angel Gabrielle. If an angel suddenly appeared to me, I would feel the same way. Gabrielle calmed Mary's fears and brought her God's message. Mary was going to be the mother of Jesus, Jesus' name was popular at the time and means "God Saves!" Some parents chose the name hoping their child would be the savior and set them free from Rome. Mary did not choose the name. God did. Mary's Jesus would be the Promised Savior from the line of King David. 

God was keeping His promise. All the prophecies about the Promised Savior were being fulfilled. It may take some time for us to realize it, but God always keeps His promises. That is important for all of us to remember at time when many people are confused, disturbed, full of doubts and fears. God's love for us in Jesus Christ overcomes and drives away our fears.