“For no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37).
After the angel Gabriel told Mary that even though she was a virgin she would conceive Jesus the Messiah after the Holy Spirit overshadowed her, he assured her that what he said was true by saying, “For no word from God will ever fail.” As people read the Bible, they can remind themselves that no word from God has ever failed or will ever fail. Also, they can find a multitude of examples of this fact as they read the Bible. Sarah conceived Isaac in her old age as God said she would. Hannah conceived Samuel in her old age as God said she would. Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist in her old age as God said she would. And though Mary had never known a man, she conceived Jesus the Messiah as God said she would. God has made many promises in the Bible, and His word has never failed. If we were to ask why, a more familiar translation of Luke 1:37 provides the answer, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Both translations accurately represent the ancient Greek text, and both translations emphasize similar truths: “God’s word will never fail, because nothing will be impossible for God.” As we think about the future regarding the promises God has made to us about the future in the Book of Revelation and other books of the Bible, we have very good reasons to believe that based on God’s promises and past performances, His future performances are assured. As we read the Bible, we also have good reasons to say to God as Mary said to the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”