Devotion 12/21, I am the Lord’s Servant

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.”
Luke 1:26-28

If we go on and read through verse 38 of this same chapter, we see that the angel explains how Mary will have the Son of God. Can you just imagine how Mary felt seeing the angel Gabriel standing before her announcing that she is the one who will give birth to God’s Son, the long awaited Messiah. Mary was a devout Jewish girl, she would have definitely been taught about the coming Messiah, and now she has been chosen by God to be the mother of Him!
Well, Mary says to the angel what any normal girl would say, “How will this be since I am a virgin (vs.34)?” Then the angel tells her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, and the power of the Most High will overshadow her and God’s Son will be in her womb.
And Mary’s response, (vs.38) “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as You have said.”
In beautiful submission, Mary yielded herself to the Lord for the accomplishment of His purposes. She set aside her own plans, and maybe even fears, and chose to trust God’s plan for her life. Wow! What a huge lesson for us today!
It is quite a response how Mary was yielded to God’s plan for her. She didn’t argue with the angel, she didn’t complain…..she TRUSTED God for she knew Him to be trustworthy!
God has a plan for each and every one of His children.

Wow! Such a familiar sentence packed with emotion. An angel comes to Nazareth to visit and speak with a young woman engaged to be married. Before the history shattering news is announced, she is given one key reminder that will be truer than she could imagine, “The Lord is with you.”

Father, I need your abiding presence to face the challenges of life. As you have upheld your children through the ages, I am thankful to greet each day knowing that I will not face it alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I seek to have the Lord in my heart not just during prayerful times when I think of Him, but always. To trust in the Lord in all things as did Mary. What a peace and assurance it would be in my soul.
Lord, abide in me, always. I seek to please you in all I say and do but I need strength of focus, that I see all things with you on my mind. Thank you for your continued blessings and grace. In Jesus’ name I pray.