Trusting God: Lessons from Mary and Elizabeth Elliot
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of trust through the lens of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as depicted in the Gospel of Luke. We began by acknowledging the Advent season, a time often associated with joy, yet recognizing that not everyone experiences this joy due to life's challenges. We reflected on Psalm 63, where David, in a dry and weary land, chose to worship God, finding joy in His presence despite his circumstances. This set the stage for our exploration of trust, a central theme in Mary's story.
Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel was a pivotal moment. She was told she would conceive Jesus, the Son of God, a revelation that defied human understanding. Her initial response was one of confusion, asking, "How can this be?" Yet, despite her lack of understanding, Mary chose to trust God's word. This trust was not rooted in her circumstances or her understanding but in her faith in God's character and promises.
We drew parallels between Mary's trust and the story of Elizabeth Elliot, a missionary who faced unimaginable loss yet found rest in trusting God's will. Like Mary, Elizabeth's story reminds us that trust in God often requires surrendering our understanding and embracing His plans, even when they seem beyond our comprehension.
Mary's trust led to the fulfillment of God's promise, culminating in the birth of Jesus. Her story challenges us to trust God in our own lives, even when His plans are not clear. It invites us to move from questioning "Why me?" and "How?" to a place of surrender, saying, "Let it be to me according to your word."
As we reflect on Mary's journey, we are reminded that God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Our role is not to understand every detail but to trust and obey, knowing that with God, nothing is impossible.
Key Takeaways:
- Joy in Worship: Like David in Psalm 63, we can find joy in worshiping God despite our circumstances. Worship is a choice to focus on God's loving-kindness, which is better than life itself. This joy is not dependent on our situation but on our relationship with God. [00:00]
- Trust Beyond Understanding: Mary's story teaches us to trust God even when His plans are beyond our understanding. Her question, "How can this be?" reflects our own struggles with doubt, yet her ultimate response was one of trust and surrender. [45:08]
- God's Sovereignty in Our Lives: Elizabeth Elliot's story illustrates that God's plans often surpass our own. Her trust in God's sovereignty, even after her husband's tragic death, led to the salvation of many. This challenges us to trust God's greater plan for our lives. [46:54]
- The Power of Surrender: Mary's willingness to say, "Let it be to me according to your word," exemplifies the power of surrender. Trusting God requires relinquishing control and believing that He is working for our good, even when we cannot see it. [01:23:22]
- Ordinary People, Extraordinary Plans: God often chooses ordinary people, like Mary, to fulfill His extraordinary plans. Our significance is not in our status or abilities but in our willingness to trust and obey God's call. [01:29:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Joy and Worship
- [01:45] - Reading from Psalm 63
- [03:10] - Invitation to Worship
- [34:17] - Announcements and Series Introduction
- [41:09] - Reading from Luke 1:26-38
- [45:08] - Trust and Elizabeth Elliot's Story
- [46:54] - The Challenge of Trust
- [48:44] - God's Plans Beyond Our Understanding
- [49:46] - Elizabeth Elliot's Return to the Tribe
- [51:12] - Jesus' Birth Through Mary's Eyes
- [53:03] - The Angel's Message to Mary
- [56:28] - The Significance of Nazareth
- [01:01:26] - Mary's Favor and God's Presence
- [01:29:01] - The Result of Trust: Jesus' Birth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 63:1-5
- Luke 1:26-38
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Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 63, what is David's response to being in a dry and weary land, and how does this relate to the theme of joy in worship? [34:17]
2. How does Mary initially react to the angel Gabriel's message in Luke 1:26-38, and what question does she ask that reflects her confusion? [41:09]
3. What does the angel Gabriel tell Mary about the nature of Jesus' birth and His future role? [01:07:45]
4. How does the story of Elizabeth Elliot, as mentioned in the sermon, parallel Mary's story of trust and surrender? [46:54]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does David's choice to worship in Psalm 63 suggest about the relationship between worship and circumstances? How might this apply to someone facing challenges today? [34:17]
2. How does Mary's question, "How can this be?" reflect common human struggles with understanding God's plans? What does this reveal about faith? [01:10:32]
3. In what ways does Elizabeth Elliot's story illustrate the concept of trusting God's sovereignty, even in the face of tragedy? How might this challenge or encourage someone in their faith journey? [46:54]
4. What does Mary's response, "Let it be to me according to your word," teach about the power of surrender in the life of a believer? [01:23:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you found joy in worship despite difficult circumstances. How did that experience impact your relationship with God? [34:17]
2. When faced with a situation that defies understanding, like Mary, how do you typically respond? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's plans? [01:10:32]
3. Elizabeth Elliot found rest in trusting God's will after a great loss. Is there an area in your life where you need to surrender control and trust God's sovereignty? How can you begin to do that this week? [46:54]
4. Mary's story shows that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. How can you be open to God's call in your life, even if it seems beyond your comprehension? [01:29:55]
5. Consider the phrase "Let it be to me according to your word." What is one area in your life where you need to say this to God? How can you practice surrender in that area this week? [01:23:22]
6. How can you find encouragement in the fact that with God, nothing is impossible? Identify a seemingly impossible situation in your life and discuss how you can trust God with it. [01:20:55]
7. Think about a person or situation that challenges your trust in God. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith and trust in God's character and promises? [01:21:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy in Worship Amidst Trials
In the midst of life's challenges, finding joy in worship is a profound act of faith. Psalm 63 illustrates how David, despite being in a dry and weary land, chose to worship God, finding joy in His presence. This joy is not contingent on our circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with God. Worship becomes a choice to focus on God's loving-kindness, which is better than life itself. It is an invitation to experience a joy that transcends our immediate situation, reminding us that true joy is found in God's presence. [00:00]
Psalm 63:1-3 (ESV): "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you choose to worship God today, even if your circumstances are challenging?
Day 2: Trusting God Beyond Understanding
Mary's story in the Gospel of Luke teaches us about trusting God even when His plans are beyond our understanding. When the angel Gabriel announced that she would conceive Jesus, the Son of God, Mary's initial response was one of confusion. She asked, "How can this be?" Yet, despite her lack of understanding, she chose to trust God's word. Her trust was not based on her circumstances or understanding but on her faith in God's character and promises. This challenges us to trust God, even when we cannot comprehend His plans. [45:08]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you begin to surrender this to Him today?
Day 3: Embracing God's Sovereignty
Elizabeth Elliot's story is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty in our lives. After facing unimaginable loss, she found rest in trusting God's will. Her trust in God's sovereignty, even after her husband's tragic death, led to the salvation of many. This illustrates that God's plans often surpass our own, challenging us to trust His greater plan for our lives. It invites us to surrender our understanding and embrace His plans, even when they seem beyond our comprehension. [46:54]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's sovereignty in a situation where you feel out of control?
Day 4: The Power of Surrender
Mary's willingness to say, "Let it be to me according to your word," exemplifies the power of surrender. Trusting God requires relinquishing control and believing that He is working for our good, even when we cannot see it. Mary's story challenges us to move from questioning "Why me?" and "How?" to a place of surrender, trusting that God's plans are for our ultimate good. This act of surrender is a powerful testament to faith, inviting us to trust and obey God's call in our lives. [01:23:22]
Luke 1:38 (ESV): "And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Plans
God often chooses ordinary people, like Mary, to fulfill His extraordinary plans. Our significance is not in our status or abilities but in our willingness to trust and obey God's call. Mary's story reminds us that God uses ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary things. It challenges us to trust in God's plan for our lives, knowing that with Him, nothing is impossible. This invites us to step out in faith, trusting that God can use us for His extraordinary purposes. [01:29:55]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: How can you make yourself available to God today, trusting that He can use you for His extraordinary plans?
Quotes
And today, we get to see Jesus' birth through the eyes of Mary. Now, of course, Mary will physically experience the birth of Christ. And so, that part is going to be unique to her. We don't get to experience that. We will never see that again ourselves. But that's not the part that I want to consider today. We can get lost in the details of how did that happen? And we'll talk a little bit about that in a minute. But just enough to, like, confuse you, and then you're like, okay, I don't get it. And we can focus in on that, but that's not really what's important. [00:52:29] (35 seconds)
What I'd like to consider is what happened before that. Her life and what Mary went through before that actually took place. And in our text today, we find that she, too, will be visited by an angel and told some things that she'd have to trust. And trust just like you and I as we go through life. And in the end, what my goal is, hopefully by the time we're done today, is that we would find that we are not all that different than Mary. [00:53:48] (30 seconds)
And sometimes God allows things that challenge every part of our being, doesn't He? He just lets things in. I mean, think about Elizabeth's story. Just God allowing that, that would have challenged her every being, like every part of her. Times when God is doing things beyond our comprehension. Has that ever happened to you? Where He's got you in a situation like, Lord, I don't understand. [00:48:44] (23 seconds)
And just like with the angel came and gave Joseph some clarity on who Jesus was. You remember his account last week. If not, you'll want to go back and listen to it. But just like he did it with Joseph, we notice that he does it here with Mary as well. He tells her that Jesus indeed will be named Jesus. Like forget the baby name books, right? The most, the most famous, the most famous, names or most popular names in 2024. [01:08:10] (26 seconds)
And I find that God can tell me how something can take place, and yet it can still be outside of my understanding. That was Mary, right? How can this be so? Well, the Holy Spirit is going to come, and the power overshadow you, all of these things, free from scrutiny, gentle, and she's probably still scratching her head. It's still outside of her understanding. And so what's the answer? [01:17:49] (24 seconds)
Well, we're told here that it was with God. With God. How's this going to happen? With God. With God. Now, the angel even gives her an example, and I love that. And God will do that for you as well. Notice what he says, your cousin Elizabeth, who is in her old age, or another maybe phrase we could use there is, she's well along in years. [01:18:36] (25 seconds)
And just that verse alone, I think might be for somebody here today. I think you were here just to hear that because you find yourself in a situation that seems a bit impossible. You've gone through some things. You're experiencing some things. In fact, your situation has gone on for a while and it seems like it's impossible. Can I just give you this verse? With God, nothing is impossible. [01:20:43] (27 seconds)
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