And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a
performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Lk. 1:45)
The truth of God certainly does not depend on the will of
men, but God remains always true, (Romans 3:4,) though the whole
world—unbelievers and liars—should attempt to ruin his veracity. Yet, as
unbelievers are unworthy to obtain the fruit of the promises, so Scripture
teaches us, that by faith alone they are powerful for our salvation.
God offers his benefits indiscriminately to all, and faith
opens its bosom to receive them; while unbelief allows them to pass away, so as
not to reach us. If there had been any unbelief in Mary, that could not prevent
God from accomplishing his work in any other way which he might choose. But she
is called blessed, because she received by faith the blessing offered to her,
and opened up the way to God for its accomplishment; while faith, on the other
hand, shuts the gate, and restrains his hand from working, that they who refuse
the praise due to its power may not feel its saving effect.
We must observe also the relation between the word and
faith, from which we learn that, in the act of believing, we give our assent to
God who speaks to us, and hold for certain what he has promised to us that he
will do. The phrase, by the Lord, is of the same import with an expression in
common use, on the part of God; for the promise had been brought by the angel,
but proceeded from God alone. Hence we infer that, whether God employs the
ministrations of angels or of men, he wishes equal honor to be paid to his Word
as if he were visibly descending from heaven. (Commentaries)
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