“Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Be it unto me according to your word.”(KJV). “I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.” – Luke 1:38 (NIV).
Imagine God telling you to do something that may embarrass you publicly, or something that may get you rejected by someone you love. Imagine being put in a position where you may lose something before you even ‘get a chance to have it.’
Mary, the mother of Jesus was in that situation. She was pregnant by the Holy Spirit while she was pledged to marry Joseph as a virgin. At some point, Joseph considered divorcing her, so we know the risk of rejection was real.
Despite, the risk of being rejected, Mary’s disposition was one of faith and submission to God, regardless of the consequences. We see this in her response to angel Gabriel’s words, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”
After she got pregnant by the Holy Spirit, the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matt 1:20). He obeyed and stood by her all the way.
Sometimes as Christians, we are often afraid to do the right thing because we don’t want to be rejected and isolated. Like Mary we should entrust ourselves to God and like Joseph we should obey Him.
In our Christian journey, there will be times we have to trust God by ourselves, but there will also be times when God will speak to others in our lives to stand by our side.
So, let us trust God no matter what, and let’s remember we don’t have to always defend ourselves while obeying Him. God spoke directly to Joseph so that Mary didn’t have to.
Sometimes, intercession is what is needed, rather than a convincing conversation. And in occasions where we have to stand alone, please let’s be encouraged and trust God’s plan just like Mary did. She was used by God to bring the promise of God, the hope of the ages, Jesus the Messiah to birth because she trusted Him.
Now it’s your turn.
PRAYER: Father, help me to trust your plan even when I don’t understand it. Speak to those around me that they would see and receive your plan as well. But Lord, if I have to go alone, help me to go in courage and strength, in Jesus’ name Amen.
For further study, read Read Matthew 1: 18-25 and Luke 1:26-38