Sunday, December 8, 2013

Mary Knew

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Mary had just received a visit from an angel, probably a very scary experience, who told her that she was going to have a baby.  But Mary knew this was physically impossible. He told her that her son would be King over a kingdom that would never end. And Mary knew that her husband was from the line of David, but that this was not his baby. Then the angel told her that the Holy Spirit would accomplish all these things. And then what Mary knew changed a little, “for nothing will be impossible with God,” he told her.

What is Mary’s response to God’s amazing call on her life to bring the Most High God, Savior of the universe into the world? “Yes, Lord. I am Yours. Whatever you say, I’m on board.”

But what about after the baby? What’s next? What about Joseph? How’s HE going to feel about all this? I’m not old enough for this, Lord! I’m not strong enough. I can’t carry the SAVIOR of the WORLD. You said this would happen, but it can’t be ME. I think you’ve got the wrong Mary.

I can just hear all the objectives I would have against such a mind-blowing message. And I hear all the objectives I say even now to God’s call on my life. I mean, granted, I’m not about to birth another Son of God, so no worries, but hasn’t God made promises to me in His word that could be just as powerful in my life?

Going through the application process for dental school is scary, and living life in the in-between is so uncertain.  With no clear road ahead, it has become so clear to me that walking day by day with Jesus is my only clarity.  God is teaching me how important a little faith is. The faith of Mary. The faith to say “Yes”. The faith to believe God. The Bible tells us endless stories of people “who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight…(Heb 11:33-34)”. These people had no idea what God was going to do through them and what legacy they would leave, but they took each small step BY FAITH. 

Mary did not know who this angel was. Mary did not know why He was talking all kinds of crazy things to her. She did not know how all these things would take place or the step-by-step plan, but MARY KNEW her God. And she knew that He was worthy of her faith. And that was all she needed to say “Yes, Lord”

God promises us that if we “seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, all these things (clothing, food, etc) will be given to [us] as well (Matt 6:33)”, so we don’t have to worry.  He says that “surely [He] is with [us] always, to the very end of the age (Matt 28:20)”, so we don’t have to fear. He promises that “all things are possible with God (Mark 10:27)”, so we can believe in His power. He has told us that “in this world [we] will have trouble. But take heart! [He] has overcome the world (John 16:33)”, so we can have peace. We are made aware in Romans 8 that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”, “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”, “all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose”, and “nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Etc, etc, etc!


The more I look at the promises of God, I realize that we have more than enough reason to have faith and say “Yes, Lord”. I’m thankful for Mary’s example to teach me that even in the midst of all of the things I do not know, God’s promises are something I can be sure of and absolutely hope for.