9th December 2025
Do not be afraid – believe God
Part of a series for Advent
…the angel said to [Mary], ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.’
Luke 1:30-31 (NIVUK)
Mary was fearful as she faced something she certainly did not ask for: a pregnancy which was impossible to explain and she had the grave responsibility of carrying the longed for Messiah, the pinnacle of hope for her people. In this call of God to her, there would be a great cost: the pain as she gives birth, in the love for her growing child, in anguish as she sees him suffer, and in grief as she watches him die.
When our lives do not go as planned, it is easy to fear the unknown. Yet God allows things to happen in our lives that seem to be hard to bear and to understand, so that we might grow in him and come to know him more deeply. When these times come, it is easy to question God and his judgement, but just think for a moment about Mary’s situation: she faced the possibility of having her engagement to Joseph broken, and being a single mum. This was a less than ideal situation for a young Jewish girl to find herself in, yet Mary was willing to step out in faith because she knew God loved her, and only wanted what was best in her life. And so, Mary said, ‘I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled’ (Luke 1:38).
Mary had asked some legitimate questions: “ ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ ” (v.34). If she was going to become pregnant, she wanted to know how it was going to happen, but Mary did not let her questions stop her. She believed what God told her through the angel, and said, ‘yes’ to the part of his plan God had given her.
When God challenges us to move in faith, it’s alright to ask some questions – ‘Lord, how are we supposed to get there? How is it going to happen?’ God answered Mary, and he will give us an answer too. Not that God gave Mary all the details. Gabriel only gave Mary enough information so she could make a willing response, in faith, to God’s plan. And God will give us just enough light for the path that is before us. As the Psalmist says, ‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path’ (Psalm 119:105).
When God calls us to things that are hard and painful, that are difficult to understand, we need to keep in mind the angel’s word to Mary: ‘Do not be afraid’. Believe in what God is doing in our lives. Trust him and step out in faith, because he loves us, he is for us, and wants the very best for us.
Prayer
Loving Father, when Mary learned that her life would be changed forever, she did not turn away in fear, but opened her heart to your promise. Grant us that same trusting faith. When your call feels overwhelming, when we do not understand your ways, when our doubts speak louder than our hope, teach us to remember Mary’s courage, and to not be afraid as we believe you. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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Study by: Barry Robinson About the author: |
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Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church