"'For with God nothing shall be impossible.' Then Mary said, 'Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:37-38)
In the superhero culture of today, we love people who seem to be bigger than life. In recent times, we have observed the emergence of female characters such as Wonder Woman, Supergirl, the princess of Wakanda, Storm, and so many others!
But, before there ever were these fictitious cinematic, captivating characters, we had multiple life-giving role models of biblical, wonder-working women. These are the authentic heroines of the faith who worked and birthed wonders! Let's take a quick glance at four of them.
Two Old Testament Wonder Women
According to the narrative given to us in 1 Samuel chapter one, Hannah was married to Elkanah (verse 4), but they were unable to conceive a child. Year after year, in the midst of being barren, Hannah remained persistent in her prayers and would visit the "house of the Lord," and even weep in travail before the Lord (verse 7).
I love the transparency of verses 12 and 13: "And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli [the high priest] watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk" (emphasis mine). This devoted woman of God gracefully responded that she was not drunk but was pouring out her soul before the Lord. Eli then had a revelation from God and declared that she had found favor, and her petition would be granted (verses 16-17). (Photo via GetArchive)
Hannah was no longer sad, as her barrenness was turned into gladness as she birthed the wonder of a prophet named Samuel, who became one of the greatest prophets of the entire Old Testament era. It was said that not one word from his mouth fell to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19).
Looking at another Old Testament wonder woman, who does not love the biblical lesson of Hadassah, who became Queen Esther, and how she was used to save her very own Jewish people from complete annihilation? The key scriptures come from Esther 4:13-14, where it states, "And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: 'Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the King's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'"
This summarizes one of the most strategic times of crisis intervention through intercession in the entirety of all the Scriptures. God can use a forgotten person, change their identity, and clothe them with regality for such a time as this. If God could do this with Hannah and with Esther, then He can surely do this with others who have burning hearts to be used by Him!
Two New Testament Wonder Women
One of the most significant yet little-known characters in the New Testament is the prophetess Anna. After seven years of married life, she was suddenly widowed. All we are told is that this unassuming 84-year-old woman had devoted the rest of her years to the ministry of prayer and fasting, waiting in the Temple for the coming of the Messiah (Luke 2:36-37).
What kind of burning passion must have consumed Anna's heart to keep her there for such a long time?
After years of what some would call futile idleness, her waiting paid off. Anna was in the Temple when baby Jesus was brought by Mary and Joseph for His dedication. Yes, it takes prophetic vision to continue a ministry for such a long, sustained time! Anna helped birth the Wonder of wonders by praying the prophetic promise into being! (Photo via PickPik)
Lastly, what more needs to be said about the purity of this teenage girl named Mary who had never known a man! She was hand selected by God and spoken to by an angel that she had been chosen to birth the very Messiah, the Son of God. And His name would be called... Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Emmanuel, God with us. The simplicity of her response is rather stunning to me: "... Let it be to me according to your word..." (Luke 1:38). Mary, indeed, was a woman who birthed the greatest Wonder of them all – the very Son of God!
God Is Calling You!
In these last days, God is looking for those who will have a burning heart to fulfill the prophetic destiny for their generation. The Holy Spirit is calling you! Just as He sought out Hannah and Hadassah, and just as the dove of God rested upon Anna and Mary, His eyes are searching across the earth for the next willing heart who will give a simple yes to the God of the impossible. What is your reply? You can be a worker of wonders for Jesus Christ's sake! You really, really can. Amen and amen!
Answering His Call with You!
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Dr. James W. Goll
Founder of God Encounters Ministries • God Encounters Training e-School • Prayer Storm
Email:Â info@godencounters.com
Website:Â godencounters.com
James W. Goll is the founder of God Encounters Ministries and has traveled around the world sharing the love of Jesus, imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry, and life in the Spirit. He has recorded numerous classes with corresponding study guides and is the author of more than fifty books, including The Seer, The Feeler, The Lost Art of Intercession, The Mystery of Israel and the Middle East, and Revival Breakthrough. James is the father of four wonderful, married, adult children, with a growing number of grandchildren. James continues to make his home in Franklin, Tennessee.
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