Devotionals by Raul Ries

SATURDAY December 13, 2025

Saying Yes to God’s Will

“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.  For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:36-38

The angel Gabriel encouraged Mary by revealing to her how God was already at work in the life of Elizabeth, a close relative. In her old age, Elizabeth was going to have a child. Mary knew about her relative’s deep longing to have a child. Zacharias and Elizabeth had prayed for years in hope of having a child. God answered their prayers in His perfect will and at the right time. The news about Elizabeth was such a reassurance to Mary because she now knew that God was working in both their lives.

Mary’s heart was moved by faith to say, “Yes,” to God. She willingly stepped out by faith to be used by Him. In her response to the angel, she courageously submitted to God’s plan to become the mother of Jesus: “Let it be to me according to your word.” Elizabeth and Mary were women who were in the center of God’s will.

David wrote Psalm 40:8. It speaks prophetically of Christ’s willingness to do the perfect will of God: “I delight to do Your will, O my God....” Recorded in the book of Hebrews, we also read of Jesus’ submission to do His Father’s will. He said, “Yes,” to God’s will: “Then I [Jesus] said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—as is written about me in the Scriptures’ ” (Hebrews 10:7 NLT).

We can see God’s will at work in the lives of Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary and Jesus. At times, there are seasons of waiting on God to answer our prayers. In the case of Mary, God moved unexpectedly in her life. It took her by surprise, but everything He did was in accordance with His perfect will.

Are you waiting patiently for God’s will to come about in the way of answered prayer? Or maybe God has revealed His will to you suddenly. Either way, when God’s will is made known to you, will you believe and embrace it? Will you say “Yes,” to God’s will?

Let the devout reader adore the Savior for the spontaneous and hearty manner in which he undertook the great work of our salvation.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!