Luke 1:34–37
“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee…
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age…
For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
A Story That Was Always Pointing Forward
Everything in the Old Testament points toward one moment in history. The birth of a Messiah who would take away the sins of the world. From Genesis to Malachi, Scripture carries a longing for rescue, redemption, and restoration.
The Apostle Paul summarizes humanity’s fall and God’s rescue plan with remarkable clarity:
Romans 5:19
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
What was broken through Adam would be restored through Christ.
Shadows of a Coming Savior
Throughout the Old Testament, God placed types and shadows of Christ, foreshadowings of the true Deliverer to come. Moses is one of the clearest examples.
Israel was enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years. From a human perspective, there was no hope, only oppression, exhaustion, and despair. Yet God had a plan. He would raise up a deliverer through whom His people would be set free.
Scripture tells us that Israel cried out to God in their suffering:
Exodus 3:7
“I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.”
Could it be that some of their prayers sounded like this?
“What if the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob rescues us today?”
Israel endured years of pain, sorrow, and affliction. But there is no doubt that their faith got God’s attention.
Prophecies Spoken Long Before the Birth
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, prophets spoke of a coming Savior. Isaiah was one of them:
Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Later, Isaiah also prophesied that God’s people would go into captivity for 70 years and then be delivered.
Jeremiah echoed this message when he told the people to build homes, plant gardens, marry, and raise families even while living in exile. He told them to get comfortable in a temporary season.
Can you imagine their “What ifs”?
- What if God multiplies our provision while we are in captivity?
- What if our gardens produce the greatest harvest we’ve ever seen?
- What if our children are strongest during our weakest season?
Yet even those hopes were temporary. All of it pointed forward to an eternal hope, the birth of Jesus Christ.
When “What If” Turns the Wrong Direction
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Israel failed to enter God’s rest. Not because God was unwilling, but because of unbelief and disobedience.
They wandered in the wilderness because their “What Ifs” were focused more on what the enemy could do than on what God could do for them.
That raises a sobering question for us today:
How much more faith are we giving to fear than we are giving to God?
We say:
- “What if I get sick?” instead of “What if I get healthy?”
- “What if God doesn’t provide?” instead of “What if God provides?”
- “What if God doesn’t answer?” instead of “What if He answers?”
God’s Invitation to Rest
God’s purpose in coming to earth in the flesh was not only to save us, but to bring us into His rest through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 3:16, 18–19 (NLT)
“Because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.”
Hebrews 4:6–7 (NLT)
“God’s rest is there for people to enter… Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”
Today is always God’s invitation.
Today Is the Day
Today is the day we end unbelief.
Today is the day we soften hardened hearts.
Today is the day we say “What if” in faith over every circumstance we face.
What if every person chose to enter God’s rest today?
What if every doubt was overtaken by a bold, faith-filled “What if”?
Luke 1 reminds us that through a virgin birth and a barren womb, God declared once and for all:
Nothing is impossible with God.
The Reason He Was Born
So here is the final question:
What if you leave changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
What if we paused the presents, the decorations, and the gatherings, and focused on why He was born?
Matthew 1:21
“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
God Wants to Exceed Our “What Ifs”
Ephesians 3:20
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
What if God wants to do more than you’ve dared to believe?
What if your boldest “What If” is still too small?
If you want next:
- Part 3
- A short Advent devotional version
- Or a strong closing call to salvation and faith
