A Willing Heart by ems 12/2/21
6th Day of Advent
Week 1: Hope (or promise) ~ Light 1 purple candle
Advent Hymn: 🎼 Mary, Did You Know🎶
This modern Christmas classic was penned by Mark Lowry in 1984 and set to music by Buddy Greene in 1991. It addresses Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Lowry has stated, “I just tried to put into words the unfathomable. I started thinking of the questions I would have for her if I were to sit down & have coffee with Mary.
You know, “What was it like raising God?” “What did you know?” “What didn’t you know?”
Verse 1 Mary did you know that your baby boy Would someday walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy Has come to make you new? This Child that you've delivered Will soon deliver you. Bridge The blind will see, the deaf will hear The dead will live again The lame will leap, the dumb will speak The praises of the lamb Verse 3 Mary, did you know that your baby boy is lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heavens perfect lamb? That sleeping child you're holding is the great I am
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” ~ Luke 1:26-33
Tasks are something we have or are given to us each day. Sometimes, we approach them with hesitation or resistance, and other times, with grateful abandon.
Today, we learn about Mary’s willing heart, whose innocence expressed a fervent faith in God Almighty.
A Willing Heart
In this life, we have daily tasks and ongoing goals. We choose some of these; others we are asked to fulfill by someone else, such as chores at home or a project at work. But how would you feel if a messenger of God, the angel Gabriel, appeared with some very unsettling news? What would be your response?
Mary was a young girl, perhaps between the ages of 12 and 14, the time frame for girls to marry in her culture. While she was troubled and perplexed by Gabriel’s words, she responded with courage and faith once it was explained to her that this task was God-ordained.
“ 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born] will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servantof the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. ~ Luke 1:35-38
I must admit that responding with courage and faith is not usual for me when facing an impossible task. So, I glean from Mary’s example that I must first start with a willing heart, one that trusts God no matter what.
In matters of difficulty, we must first pause and consider who God is, what He has done, and that He is always in control of all.
Prayer: God, You lavished Your love and faithfulness throughout the ages.
Remind me of Your wondrous works and how nothing will be impossible with You. When I face impossibilities, enable me to respond as Mary did, with courage, faith, and a view that You are not only Sovereign but that You have a more excellent plan with eternity in view.
Listen to the song Mary Did You Know here:
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Learn more about Jesus here:
Gleanings From Heaven's Gate 