Now this hope is something shared between all of us. We all have read it for ourselves.
We talk about it and pray for it. We defend it and if it has had the full effect that it should
upon us, we live our lives in accordance to it and deny our own will for its sake. This is a
very powerful and comforting force, is it not, and what an uplifting sight it is to be living
in the times of the end and seeing things foretold of old coming to pass.

But it should be no surprise, just as it was at the Lord’s birth, so it is now. Let us turn to
Luke 1:41-45 where we see Elizabeth speak out in confidence of the forming of the child
who will eventually become her master.

Read Luke 1:41-45.

Note the confidence of the woman; assured of the things that will come to pass because
the Lord has spoken it. And not just Elizabeth, but Mary as well. Read verses 46-55. We
see how she knew the promises even to David and Abraham.

Read Luke 1:46-55

Zacharias did the same thing...bringing to mind the promises of God, of a savior and
redeemer.

Read Luke 1:67-75.

The characters of this first chapter of Luke are very refreshing. They were all counted as
righteous and blameless in the sight of God, and they did walk according to His ways.
What a lesson for us brothers and sisters. These, even before the miraculous events made
themselves manifest, had already seen them in faith. Their faith was one of true faith,
seeing those things which are not seen...those things that are eternal. Even so for us,
brethren and sisters, this kind of faith should be in us. Even before the promises are made
manifest, we should be walking as if they have already happened. When the signs are
being fulfilled, we have no need to be surprised but to be glad!! We should not be finding
ourselves acting differently simply because some prophecy is being fulfilled...but we
should have already been that way before it happened.

But alas, we are leaky vessels. We tend to be faithless, don’t we? Our nature tends to see
things which are seen, instead of the things that are not seen. Let us look at II Cor 4,
starting at verse 15 and reading to the end of the chapter.

Read II Cor 4:15-18

The apostle Paul knew his nature, and must do the same. Paul gives good exhortation of
how to deal with it, by examining his own outlook upon it. For one, “all things are for
your sakes....” this is a fascinating saying...for the sakes of whom?...the saints. Let us
recall some of these things...for instance, the first chapter of Luke. All the events
concerning the birth of Christ and the birth of John were for the saints.

These things were all part of the plan of God, to call out a people for His own name. The
same is true when we look at the emblems....they came to pass for our sakes as well. So it
is no wonder, in the second half of verse 15 that Paul continues “that the abundant Grace
might through the thanksgiving of many rebound to the glory of God.”

When we look at it in this light, how can we think but what David thought when he sang,
“What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest Him?!”
What strength we can derive when our minds are set on spiritual things as these! What
thankfulness our hearts can express as well! Paul continues in verse 16 the same way,
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is
renewed day by day.” If we could only think like this more often, remembering that this
life is altogether vanity and vexation of spirit, and we should not be overly concerned
about it, except to learn what we must do to better know and glorify our Father which art
in heaven. “For our light affliction, (verse 17), which is but for a moment, worketh for us
a far more exceeding and eternal way of glory...while we look not at the things which are
seen, but the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the
things which are not seen are eternal.”

So the lesson is brothers and sisters, our walk in faith is not dependent on things which we
see...but the things that are unseen, which we do look for. These things will surely come
to pass, as promised to us from the beginning. Are we not like those in the first chapter in
Luke? At a time when expectations are high, waiting for the birth of the messiah? Is it
just coincidence that the mothers chosen just happened to be “righteous before God,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly? and well
favored of the Lord?” No, I don’t think it is a coincidence...for they walked by faith. Can
you imagine what Mary would have thought when she was told of the child that she would
bear? She knew Isaiah 7:14 as well as any of us, but imagine the joy it was for her to be
part of that fulfillment.

The same is true of our age, brethren and sisters. There are a lot of prophesies that are
soon to be fulfilled...and we, as well as they in Luke chapter 1, have the same opportunity
to be part of those fulfillments! We quote these passages from Matthew quite often in our
prayers together, but think of it as a direct statement to you...”come ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

As we examine ourselves and prepare to partake of this unspeakable gift which is shown
to us in the symbol of the emblems...let’s remember that all the things promised will surely
come to pass, and we do have opportunity to be part of this wonderful grace that has been
given to us of our Father...even through his dearly beloved son.