When an angel appeared to Mary, she was afraid. It was a message from God and a messenger from God and the message, simply put, was that God was going to do something wildly amazing and completely life altering in Mary. Hear that? Life altering. Mary should have been terrified. She was.
But, though Mary was "greatly troubled," she didn't run from the situation. She did not ask God to change HIS plan. She did not ask God to pick someone else. Mary, instead, tried to discern what God was saying and doing. The Bible says, "But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be." (Luke 1:29 ESV)
Phase two: agree with God...
Though Mary was working to understand what God was saying and doing, she was not refusing it. As a matter of fact, she was receiving it. She said, " And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38a ESV)
God will do as God will do, but we don't always receive it. Mary did. She gives us a POWERFUL example to follow.
Phase three: tell others...
Mary went to visit her kin. She shared what God was doing. Her cousin, Elizabeth, gave a wonderful affirmation, saying, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." (Luke 1:45 ESV)
Did you see that, dear friends? Elizabeth understood what a blessing it is to believe what God says.
Phase four: sing praise unto the Lord...
"And Mary said,
'My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.'" (Luke 1:46-55 ESV)
For what God is doing, seek discernment.
For what God is saying, live agreement.
For what God is bringing to pass, share it.
For how God is bringing glory to Himself, praise Him.
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