Two days before Christmas! For at least three thousand years, since God cursed Satan for tempting Eve to sin in the Garden of Eden, God spoke of the coming of our Lord Jesus to this world (Genesis 3:15). Then, in the time of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David, and Solomon, God spoke to them the promise of the coming of the Messiah (Savior), who would bring blessings to all the families of the world. The coming of our Lord Jesus was the most anticipated event in the Jewish history. God gave the Israelites hints or prophecies about how the Messiah would come. The Jewish leaders knew that it would come through the line of Judah, and the Messiah would be King forever. However, no one expected it would be from a humble virgin young woman from Nazareth from whom Messiah would be conceived. God sent an angel, Gabriel, to tell Mary that she was the chosen one who would conceive the Messiah. Gabriel, an angel, said to Mary, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end (Luke 1:30-33)!"
God chose Mary to conceive our Lord Jesus because she was a humble, godly young girl. Mary came from an ordinary family. The Bible doesn't tell us about Mary's parents other than they were from the line of Judah. When God chose Mary to become the mother of our Lord Jesus, she was engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter. Although this sudden event could jeopardize her relationship with Joseph or her future as a young girl, Mary surrendered everything to God. As a result, God blessed her and took care of her relationship with Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25). One lesson we can learn from Mary is that she chose to follow God at a very young age, and when God called her to conceive our Lord Jesus, she was ready to do whatever God would ask of her. She may not be the wisest and strongest person in the world, but she had the biggest faith in God. May we have faith to follow God that we are willing to obey whatever God is asking of us. Mary trusted God completely and obeyed God without hesitation.
In this Christmas season, let us have faith like Mary. Although she was young, she surrendered everything to God. As a result, she became the most blessed woman in the world. She bore the Messiah that all Israelites and all creation were anticipating. God can do amazing things in our lives when we are willing to trust and obey whatever God asks us to do.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How do I describe Mary's character? Where is my relationship with God at this time: is it closed or far? Is it cold, warm, or hot? Why? What should I do to be close to God and have faith like Mary?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, please strengthen my faith like Mary's. Please help me trust you completely and obey you without any hesitation. You are the God of the universe, the source of life, and the giver of blessings. Please help me to walk in faith this Christmas season. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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