God keeps His promises

    “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45). 
    When God gives us a promise we expect that things will go well. However, that is not always the case and His Word and prayer is what we have to hold on to when our promise from Him seems threatened.
    This was the case with Ashleigh who received a promise from God that she would have a baby girl named Mila. When she became pregnant through in vitro fertilisation, she and her husband, Travis, were ecstatic. However, eighteen weeks into her pregnancy, an ultrasound revealed that her amniotic fluid was leaking. Her doctor told her that her daughter did not have enough amniotic fluid to practice breathing so her lungs would not fully develop and she would suffocate. She consequently advised her to abort the baby. However, in complete faith, Ashleigh refused to follow this advice. So, for the next five weeks, she went on bed rest while family and friends prayed for Mila. She also clung to God’s promise that she was not alone and was encouraged by Luke 1:45. She expected that God would keep His promise and that she would have a healthy baby. At twenty-three weeks her amniotic fluid was still low and she was admitted to the hospital where she received antibiotics and steroids to help in Mila’s development. They were not sure she would develop even if she made it to full term but Ashleigh was not worried. She expected that her daughter would have no deformities or abnormalities. Doctors also expected her to complete her remaining ten to twelve weeks in the hospital. However, a week and a half after being admitted, on her thirty-third birthday, an ultrasound revealed that her amniotic fluid levels were normal. She was able to return home for her birthday. She remained on bed rest and when the time came, delivered a healthy baby girl. 
    I have listened to this testimony a few times and every time I hear the part about her amniotic fluid levels becoming normal, tears fill my eyes. It’s a reminder to me that my God is able to do the impossible. Even when the experts give advice based on facts, God’s Word and promises to us have a way of refuting those facts.
    I am reminded of Jeremiah 32:27 which says: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah had received a word from the Lord that Judah was going to be taken captive by Babylon. Yet, in spite of this, God told  him to buy a field belonging to his nephew. It did not make sense because the Jews were about to lose their city to their enemies, the Chaldeans! Yet, God gave this instruction knowing that their land would eventually be restored to them. Jeremiah went to God with his doubts about what He had asked him to do but God encouraged him by reminding him that nothing was too difficult for Him to accomplish.
    I believe this is God’s Word to us today, that nothing is too hard for Him to do. It is a reminder that has served to encourage me over the years as I faced various  challenging situations. Luke 1:45 is, I believe, another word of encouragement to us today. It is a reminder to us to have faith, to hope in God because He will fulfil what He has promised us.
    What has God promised you today - in your marriage, your family, your finances, your job, your health? Don’t give up. Don’t stop believing just because obstacles are presenting themselves. God still has the final say. His Word will not return to Him void but will accomplish what He desires it to accomplish (Isaiah 55:11). Be encouraged!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, please do so now. God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19), He is not slow in keeping His promises to us (2 Peter 3:9). If He says it, that settles it. He will fulfil His promises to you!

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