“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. - Luke 1:38
Hiding her secret in her heart, Mary rushed to the hill country of Judea, to the home of her cousin, Elizabeth. Surely Mary's heart was pounding, surely her thoughts were racing. But, Elizabeth's answer to Mary’s greeting remarked on the simple faith that Mary held, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ... Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!””
Elizabeth emphasized the fact that Mary had believed. Yes, Mary had believed the angel's message that she was to bear the son of God. But, more than that. She didn't just believe in the angel, or submit to his message.
No, knowing that she faced possible suspicion, shame, and suffering, Mary had so trusted in the power of God and so submitted to His will, that instead of fear, her heart was bursting with exultant joy. Her belief, her obedience, her trust in God... led her to hope.
This hope was expressed in her inspired canticle of praise: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name." Luke 1:48-49 What a beautiful a hymn of hope! What a testimony of praise! What an example of thanks-giving in every situation! But, most of all what a hymn of faith!
Truly, the first message of Christmas is a call to our hearts to believe, to obey, to submit, and to trust as this simple young maid did, submitting and welcoming God's will in our lives. Then, in Him, we will find hope for the future!
Thank You Lord, for the reminder of a maiden’s simple love and faith. May my attitude be like Mary’s as I believe and submit, "I am the Lord's servant." My hope is in You alone! Amen.
Hiding her secret in her heart, Mary rushed to the hill country of Judea, to the home of her cousin, Elizabeth. Surely Mary's heart was pounding, surely her thoughts were racing. But, Elizabeth's answer to Mary’s greeting remarked on the simple faith that Mary held, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ... Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!””
Elizabeth emphasized the fact that Mary had believed. Yes, Mary had believed the angel's message that she was to bear the son of God. But, more than that. She didn't just believe in the angel, or submit to his message.
No, knowing that she faced possible suspicion, shame, and suffering, Mary had so trusted in the power of God and so submitted to His will, that instead of fear, her heart was bursting with exultant joy. Her belief, her obedience, her trust in God... led her to hope.
This hope was expressed in her inspired canticle of praise: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name." Luke 1:48-49 What a beautiful a hymn of hope! What a testimony of praise! What an example of thanks-giving in every situation! But, most of all what a hymn of faith!
Truly, the first message of Christmas is a call to our hearts to believe, to obey, to submit, and to trust as this simple young maid did, submitting and welcoming God's will in our lives. Then, in Him, we will find hope for the future!
Thank You Lord, for the reminder of a maiden’s simple love and faith. May my attitude be like Mary’s as I believe and submit, "I am the Lord's servant." My hope is in You alone! Amen.
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