Adapted from She, delighting in the women of the Bible, volume 3, pp 29-30
Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:21, and Psalm 40:8
I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:8
I love the details of Matthew 1:21, where the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream after he had decided to break off the engagement and told him not to be afraid to marry her, explaining that the child she was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
To borrow a quote from the She study journal, p31, “Mary carried the Savior of the world into this world for a specific purpose.” He would save His people from their sins.
An angel also visited and encouraged Mary, telling her she was highly favored and blessed among women; he assured her that the Lord was pleased with her. The angel’s words were not only about her, though; he also told her about the child, saying: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” She learned that He would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and that his kingdom would never end. Wow! Talk about a good and encouraging ‘ultrasound’ report! (Luke 1:32-33)
Mary’s response was one of willingness, saying: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) In other words, “Thy will be done.” Whatever God had said or asked of her, she believed the angel’s message and surrendered to the Father’s will.
MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS, ALSO SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE THAT GOD CAN USE US FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
What did it mean when Mary said: “…be it unto me according to thy word…”? Is this our attitude/answer to Him in life?
Me From the Inside Out 