Day 6: Mary’s Faithfulness

When I read Luke 1, I can’t help but be in awe over Mary’s faith. Here is a teenage girl who sees a glorious angel and is told that she will bear the Holy One. A young Jewish girl who has never known a man and is also engaged to be married was told she would have a baby. It must have been quite a shock!

When Gabriel first appeared to her, the Bible recounts that she was greatly troubled. But after hearing what the angel said, Mary very humbly replies that she is willing to serve God and trust His plan wholeheartedly. Wow! Mary responded with great faith.

She didn’t dwell on what this could mean for her personally, which did create quite a bit of controversy in her life. Regardless of what it cost her, she stepped out in faith to do the hard thing God asked her to do. Through Mary’s faithfulness, humanity received the Greatest Gift—our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.

How would our world be different if we responded to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the same way? How would our communities change if we responded like Mary saying, “Lord, be it unto me according to your promise,” (Luke 1:38) instead of dwelling on how it might affect us? Let’s learn from Mary’s story that we too can walk in faith despite our circumstances.

Jesus is another beautiful example of being willing to do something difficult for God’s purpose and plan. He became flesh and dwelled among us. His birth, perfect life, death, and resurrection has given us a way to be forgiven. That road was not easy, but Jesus walked it for us. Is God asking you to take a step of faith right now that might not seem logical and that may cost you a bit of dignity? Bring it to Him, pray for His guidance, and take a step of faith. You won’t regret it.

Mary didn’t regret her step of faith. She sang a famous song (Mary’s Magnificat) after her cousin Elizabeth blessed her for believing the Lord’s promise, “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” (Luke 1:47-49).

Mary’s story does not end here. After seeing her newborn baby boy and all the occurrences that happened around the birth of her son, she pondered all she experienced in her heart. She was there every step of the way as she watched her son grow. She was even there when He was nailed to the cross. She believed what God said about His plan for salvation through the Messiah. She is in Heaven now with her King and Lord. What a special calling God gave Mary.

Let’s not miss out on what He is doing in our lives as well. Today, take the opportunity to step out in faith.

“Christ is the Lord,
Oh, praise His name forever!
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim!”
- John S. Dwight
O Holy Night