How long

that Israel have to wait for the promise that God made to Abraham to be fulfilled?

God is long suffering and he moves in his time with his deliberation and there's no place in the kingdom of God for impatient Christians.

Mary understands that what is taking place is taking place within the context of a continuum of history,

that she is experiencing something that has its roots in antiquity.

She's standing, you see, on the rim of fulfillment of ancient promises.

And what does she say?

He has hoping his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy.

As he spake to our fathers to Abraham and to his seed forever.

All right, she finally locates what is happening in her as the fulfillment of a promise that God made to Abraham.

Mary is rejoicing not only because she's become the focal point of unspeakable blessing,

but because she is living out in her life the vindication of the faith that the people of Israel

through countless generations in the midst of great persecution,

in the midst of great hostility and great skepticism and mockery that a faithful few held

on to that God would keep the promise that he made centuries and centuries before to Abraham and to his seat.

About how law that Israel have to wait for the promise that God made to Abraham to be fulfilled.

Roughly how many years went by between the time God spoke to Abraham and the Messiah was born?

Roughly the same amount of time that has passed since the advent of Christ and the day you're living today.

Again, how many people looked at Mary as she went through her worship and her acts of devotion

in the synagogue and in the temple?

And people would say, Mary, let's get with it.

That you realize that you're holding out for promises that are 2,000 years old and that you're

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