Luke 1:34-37 (GNB)
Mary said to the angel, "I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said that she cannot have children, but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old.For there is nothing that God cannot do."
 When Angel Gabriel informed Mary about what God was about to do in her life, he shared Elizabeth’s testimony with her, informing her about what God was doing in Elizabeth’s life. Immediately after Mary heard Elizabeth’s testimony, she surrendered to God’s will and said, "I am the Lord's servant," … "may it happen to me as you have said", Luke 1:38 (GNB). Without any prompting, Mary immediately went to visit Elizabeth, staying with her for three good months, Luke 1:39-40 & 56. If you ask me, she wanted the testimony to really sink into her consciousness. As a person anticipating the manifestation of God’s miraculous power, she wanted to deliberately stay in an atmosphere of faith. This was very wise of her.
Testimonies of God’s love and power can be very powerful witnessing and faith building tools. They have a way of reinforcing God’s word and promises to us. Many people in the Bible built altars to memorialise or serve as a testimony of God’s goodness to them. Events like the Passover Feast (Exo.12:14&17) were held to remember how God delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt. Consistently read and listen to the testimonies of others and also rehearse your own past testimonies of God’s goodness to yourself. David’s recall of his own testimony overcoming the lion and bear helped him face and overcome Goliath, 1Sam.17:37. Draw strength from testimonies of people in the scriptures, for Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. A major purpose of the scriptures is to comfort us and give us hope, Rom.15:4.
ACTION POINT: Think of testimonies in your life and the lives of others. Thank God for them and draw strength and faith from them.
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