In the passages we read yesterday we got a glimpse of the deep,
abiding faith Mary had. Mary’s life and her response to the angel who told her
she would give birth to a child who would be ‘the Son of the Most High’ revealed a woman who believed that God
would do all He had promised.
Mary’s deep faith in God is evidenced in a life that rejoices in
the Lord. She is an example to all of us in how to rejoice. Rejoicing is a
response of faith. Rejoicing comes out of a life that is dependent on God and
from one who knows firsthand the peace of God. We get the impression that, even
before an angel of the Lord appears to tell her she will give birth to the
Messiah, that Mary's was a faith-full life of rejoicing in the Lord. The
angel's first words to her are that she is highly favored by God.
“Do not be afraid,
Mary, you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:30
To have found favor with God and receive such a great compliment
and responsibility, she must have had great faith and lived a godly life. We see this great faith displayed in Mary's
response to the angel:
"I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
Out of her great faith in God, the great favor He has expressed to
her and this great privilege and responsibility He has bestowed on her, Mary
rejoices. Her song in Luke 1:46-50, expresses her joy through praising God.
“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.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation."
Luke 1:46-50
We also can rejoice in the Lord now despite all that is going on
in the world around us. Rejoicing is not dependent on our circumstances or our
feelings. Rejoicing, as I said before, is a response of faith. It is a choice
to view life, not through the lens of our own perspective, but rather through
the lens of our faith in Christ as we look through the lens of His Word. We also can stand on God’s promises, as Mary
did. We can live hope-filled lives, rejoicing in the Lord based on our faith in
who He is and what He has done for us.
As we celebrate Christ coming to earth, we can rejoice because He has promised that we will experience the fullness of our resurrection hope when He comes again. We rejoice in the gift of our Savior as we journey through the Advent season to Christmas. As Mary rejoiced in the gift of her Son, we rejoice in the many gifts God has given us through His Son - the greatest gift!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all
joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
I am glad that your blog post is so early every day; with us in the netherlands it is 6 hours earlier day than with you ...
ReplyDeleteEvery morning I read your meditation!