How to Stay Encouraged and Keep the Dream Alive
David W Palmer
(Luke 1:39–40 NKJV) Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, {40} and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
Mary knew that Elizabeth also received a word from God resulting in a miraculous pregnancy; the angel told her about it:
(Luke 1:36–37 NKJV) “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. {37} For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Why did Gabriel reveal this to Mary? God must have had a very good reason to divulge to her his private dealings with Zacharias and Elizabeth. I’m sure that first it was to reassure Mary that “with” God, nothing is impossible. Second, he must have told her as a tacit way of encouraging her into her next step of wisdom; which was to keep her on track to deliver alive that with which God had entrusted her. So what did she do, and when did she do it?
(Luke 1:39–40 NLT) A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.
After receiving the fresh vision, word, seed, spiritual pregnancy, Mary immediately sought fellowship with someone who could understand—someone who had had a similar experience. She rushed to the family member God highlighted—the one who would love and understand her, along with the word and assignment God had given her.
No matter how strange, huge, or extreme the word is that God has given you, he has someone available to you that will understand and receive you. What happened when Mary and Elizabeth met? Did they just have a coffee, chat about the weather, and have a family news catch-up?
(Luke 1:41 NKJV) And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Did you see that? They didn’t just have a social chat; they had a Holy Spirit meeting that was so profound that it included the unborn. This was a divine appointment—a “God” moment. What happened next?
(Luke 1:43–45 NKJV) Then she (Elizabeth) spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! {43} But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? {44} For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. {45} Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (Parenthesis added)
Before even offering Mary some refreshments, Elizabeth burst out in prophecy; by the Holy Spirit, she:
Declared blessing over Mary and the baby
Prophesied about Jesus being Lord
Foreshadowed the supporting role of her own baby
Explained why Mary was so blessed; “she … believed”
Further, Elizabeth prophesied that because of Mary’s faith, what was told her (via the messenger) from the Lord would be fulfilled.
Of all the people in Israel that he could have sent her to, Gabriel certainly prompted Mary to seek fellowship with just the right person—possibly the only one who could fully accept her in her predicament. What’s more, she was the right person to undeniably confirm Mary’s word from God—including the divine nature of her unborn baby—by declaring that he is “Lord.” God has planned this same level of agreement, confirming fellowship for you; and he will prompt and guide you to just the right person or people for you, as you take to heart the word God is giving you about your future.
We also note that Mary was “blessed” because she believed. She believed enough to take action; she “hurried off” to find understanding and agreeing fellowship, even though it was a long journey that disrupted her whole lifestyle. Are you ready to put that kind of trust and action into the word God has given, is giving, or is about to give you … for the new year, for your future—your destiny in God?
How did Mary respond to the wonderfully encouraging and confirming prophetic word given to her through Elizabeth? Mary, also filled with the Holy Spirit, responded with rejoicing, praise, and confession:
(Luke 1:46–54 NKJV) And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, {47} And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. {48} For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. {49} For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.”
First, we see that Mary confessed the blessing: “All generations will call me blessed.” She also recognized and acknowledged God’s hand at work: “He who is mighty has done great things for me.” In other words, Mary responded to the prophetic word she received by immediately beginning to confess it over herself; she received it, believed it, praised God for it, and declared it.
Today, are you receiving a new word, a fresh vision for a new year, an upgraded disclosure of destiny, or the next phase of your God-given assignment? If so, you will receive it into your spiritual womb like a pregnancy—clasping it, taking it in, nurturing it, and bringing it to birth through your spirit by faith. Your next immediate step is to seek fellowship where you’ll be encouraged in this vision. When you get together with the person or people God prompts you to meet with, expect the Holy Spirit’s involvement and prophetic confirmation from like-minded witnesses. Then respond with rejoicing, praise, and confession.
Next, see it, believe it, receive it, and then confess it. Finally, you will be rejoicing eternally that despite the huge disruption, change, confusion in those around you, and the many tests and trials; you brought important fruit to birth for God’s eternal kingdom. And you can look forward to hearing him say to you:
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Mat. 25:23 NKJV)