Monday, December 18, 2017

IMMANUEL...GOD IS STILL WITH US



DAY 7     "LET IT BE DONE"

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38



Do you know any twelve-year-old girls? Maybe a sister or cousin or friend. What does she like to do? What is her favorite subject at school?  In the Christmas story we meet Mary, a girl engaged to a man named Joseph. These days, couples do not usually become engaged until they are in their twenties or older. But, in Mary’s day, girls much younger were considered old enough to get married. Before that time, instead of going to school, a Jewish girl spent her time learning how to be a good wife and mother by helping around the house, caring for younger siblings, and learning the songs, Jewish law, and history and heritage of her people. 
Although the Bible does not tell us exactly how old Mary was when she was visited by the angel Gabriel, what we just talked about shows us that she was probably a young teenager. We do know that Mary’s parents had already arranged for her to marry Joseph, and she was probably expected to become a mother not long after getting married. That sounds really strange to us, doesn’t it?  But, Mary thought that was perfectly normal.
It must have been strange to stand before the seraph dressed in light, strong and otherworldly garments, and hear him tell her not to be afraid. Perhaps it was even stranger for Mary to discover that God had formed an overall impression of her. She was known by God, and He favored her. The angel told Mary she would conceive a son who would rescue His people from their sins. God had already chosen His name—Jesus, which meant “salvation.”
But the angel’s message did not come without consequence for Mary and Joseph. It would lead these two young people to live as fugitives for a time, fleeing from the paranoia of a ruthless and powerful Roman ruler. And on top of all that, as her belly expanded, Mary and Joseph would have to endure the suspicious looks of friends and relatives who couldn’t help questioning her purity and his character. All of this was coming, and so much more.




The angel continued with his message. Mary’s boy would grow to reign over the people of God as their Savior and King. The God who promised David so many years before that his royal line would see no end would keep that ancient covenant by bringing an heir to Israel’s throne through this young woman. “But how can this be, since I’m still a virgin?” she asked. For her to bear this son, she must conceive, and virgins don’t conceive. Everyone knows this. The angel explained that all the laws of nature are amendable by the one who wrote them. Mary lived in the world that was made, and the Maker of this world was the sole Author of what could and would happen here. How this would happen was incidental to the fact that it would. And God would be the one to do it.

Reading Luke 1:26-38, we can only imagine the many frightening thoughts that probably went through Mary’s mind as she listened to Gabriel. Would her parents and Joseph believe that an angel had visited her? Would she get in trouble for becoming pregnant before she was married? Would her friends abandon her? But she did not let that keep her from listening, believing, and obeying. Instead, she showed courage, even when obeying God meant danger, ridicule, and ostracization. Sometimes God calls us to do things that go against all human reasoning and emotion. But we can learn to do and say like Mary, “Be it unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). 











What promises are waiting to be born in you? 





Write out your thoughts



Prayer
Lord, Advent is here, but so is family tension. Advent is here, but so are dysfunctional relationships. Advent is here, but so are old habits. Advent is here, but old baggage still exists. Advent is here but fears surface. You say, "I see all that, and I can handle all that." You say, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." You say, "Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid."
You say, "Tell everyone who is discouraged, Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue…

1 comment:

  1. I beleive in the promises of God and yes some of what He has spoken or shown to me seem impossible. Some are even scary and way out of my comfort zone (as well as that of some people who know me). But my mantra continues to be each and every day, "Lord, let your will be done to me and in me as you have planned". When I come this way and respond, He always give me what courage I may need to "let it be done".

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