The LORD is With You

Wisdom from Mary
#womenofthebibleseries

Mary was young and innocent, a mere teenager. Promised to a man of her father’s choosing, her hopes and dreams were like any other girl her age. She would marry, bear children, and enjoy watching them grow. One day Messiah would come, and if it were in her lifetime, she would see her children ushered into an age of freedom. Her people had awaited this promised Messiah for centuries. 

Never did Mary imagine a visit from a heavenly being. Those were the things of legend. Yet there Gabriel stood, calling her “favored,” and announcing that God was with her. The world was about to change…forever. 

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:26-33 NIV

Imagine what Mary felt as she heard the announcement. Not only was Messiah coming soon, He was coming through her own body! How could she possibly wrap her earthly mind around what had just been spoken to her? What would she tell her parents? Her betrothed? What would her future be like? She had “never known a man,” yet she would carry a child. Who would believe her? Would she be sent away, rejected, or even stoned? It was legal in that day.    

Yet, in her immediate heart-reaction, Mary submitted her heart to the will of God, knowing He would be with her as she made herself one with His plan. Mary allowed her tender heart toward the Lord to lead her despite the confusing thoughts that now overwhelmed her mind. 

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:38, NIV

Mary’s immediate surrender is portrayed vividly in one of my favorite Christmastime songs, “Be Born in Me” sung by Francesca Battistelli. It reads, 

“Before my head agrees, my heart is on its knees. Holy is He, Blessed am I. Be born in me. Be Born in me. Trembling Heart, somehow I believe… that You chose me.”

later: 

“I am not brave. I’ll never be, the only thing my heart can offer is a vacancy. I’m just a girl, nothing more. But I am willing. I am yours.” 

Indeed, the willingness to be used by God far outweighed everything else Mary had to offer her God. Over time, the very fact of her inadequacy caused Mary to rejoice again in her Savior. Read Mary’s Magnificat (her song to God).

And Mary said:
“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.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.”

Luke 1:46-50, NIV

(You can read more in the Scriptures).

The promise of God’s presence and His favor is for you also if you’ve come to Him as His child. It’s no trivial thing when you hear, “God has a plan for your life.” Do you know He calls us His workmanship (or masterpiece) in Ephesians 2:10? Do you know He works all things together for the good of those who love Him, that we could be made like His Son Jesus (Romans 8:28-29)? My prayer is that you will recognize His presence in your life, and that you will learn to know Him better through time in the Scriptures. He loves you, friend. You are favored as His child. The LORD is with you!

Suggested reading and listening:
Listen to: Be Born in Me – Francesca Battistelli
Read: Mary’s Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55