Our son made the journey from my womb to my arms. His loud cries quieted as the nurse placed his tiny body on my chest. Once again he heard the beating of my familiar heart. Love swelled.

God entrusted me with this special boy, this one He knit together in my womb. Psalm 139:13.
… God knew this boy before He formed him in my womb. Jeremiah 1:5.
… God predestined this tiny boy with purpose. Ephesians 1:5.
… God created this boy to bring glory to Himself. Isaiah 60:21.

It was a holy moment.
It was worship. Trust exhaled.

Since that day 46 years ago, I’ve been praying Isaiah 54:13 for this boy.

“All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
and great shall be the peace of your children.”

Two thousand years ago, Mary also gave birth to a tiny boy, her human experience significantly different from mine.  Luke 1:31-33.
… Mary was engaged, single, and a virgin.
… She learned of her upcoming pregnancy from an angel sent to her by God.
… She learned that her yet-to-be conceived baby would be a boy.
… She learned his name.
… She learned his purpose.

It was a holy moment.
It was worship. Trust exhaled.

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”
Luke 1:46-47

Mary’s worship was her heart exhaling in trust to God.

“and blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment
of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Luke 1:45

Mary’s worship was not based on understanding. It was based on trust.
Mary’s worship was seen in her response to the shepherds … she treasured their words.
Mary’s worship was seen as she listened to Simeon … she marveled at his words.
Mary’s worship was never based on understanding, always on trust.
Luke 2:19, 2:33, 2:51.

Worship – Trust that Exhales

I continue to trust the message God gave me when our son was born through Isaiah 54:13. I don’t understand the ways of God, I’m trusting in the words of God. I’m learning worship.

Elizabeth’s words to Mary ring true.

“Blessed woman, who believed what God said,
believed every word would come true!”
Luke 1:45, The Message

My gift this Christmas celebrating Jesus’s birthday is my desire to treasure God’s promises to me, to marvel at his love and to grow in worship – trust that exhales.

Merry, Merry Christmas to you all!

Copyright: Sue Tell, December 2023

Echoes of Grace is on Christmas break next week. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with you in the New Year.