This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Franklin Garcia.
The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Judges 13:3
The people of Israel were comfortable in the way that they were living, under oppression, sinful and far away from God, but God who is gracious will not leave His people that way. God will bring salvation to His people, even when they don’t call upon him. God manifested His grace for His people even when they didn’t deserve it. Barrenness was a sign of divine reproach and displeasure. On the other hand, children were a sign of the blessing of God. The nation was suffering oppression, the nation was under curse, the nation was not bearing fruit. We don’t see here a request for a child from the husband or the woman. Instead, God decides to graciously save His people with the birth of a savior.
God decided to save His people, even when they didn’t ask Him for help. God who is gracious to save, prepared the salvation of Israel through the miracle birth of a deliverer whom He blessed and gave His Spirit so He could accomplish God’s purposes.
God who is merciful also intervened in our lives at our lowest point and gave us a new life through His Son and His Spirit. The Lord who is gracious to save, saved us with everything necessary to succeed and fulfill His purpose for our lives.
-Pastor Franklin