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Today, we are going to dive into one of the most beautiful and inspiring stories of faith in the Bible—Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Mary’s faith is extraordinary. Imagine being a young, ordinary girl and having an angel appear to tell you that you’re going to give birth to the Son of God! Her story could have been filled with fear or doubt, but instead, it’s marked by trust and obedience. Luke 1:38 says, “Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’”
Mary’s faith wasn’t blind—it was rooted in her trust in God’s plan, even when she didn’t have all the answers. This morning, we’ll walk through Mary’s journey of faith—her surrender, her joy, and her strength. We’ll reflect on how her story can encourage us to trust God in the unknown and say 'yes' to His purpose for our lives.
Mary’s faith teaches us to trust God’s plan, even when it doesn’t make sense.
Luke 1:30-31, 38 says, “‘Don’t be afraid, Mary,’ the angel told her, ‘for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus…’ Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’”
Mary was likely a young teenager with a simple life when she was visited by the angel Gabriel.
Her response to God’s plan—“I am the Lord’s servant”—shows total surrender and trust, maturity, and wisdom, even though she didn’t fully understand what was to come.
How do we respond when God calls us to something unexpected or challenging? Are we willing to trust His plan?
What would it look like for you to say, “I am the Lord’s servant,” in your life today?
Trusting God often means letting go of our need for control or answers.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
A prominent example from the Bible is Abraham, who trusted God's promise to give him a land and numerous descendants even when it seemed impossible. He and his wife Sarah were old, and she was barren. Despite the uncertainty, Abraham demonstrated faith by leaving his homeland and eventually saw God fulfill His promise, proving His faithfulness throughout his life.
Let us take note from Abraham and hold on to what it says in Isaiah 55:8-9, that God’s ways are higher than ours.
Is there an area in your life where you need to trust God’s plan more fully?
Luke 1:38 shows Mary’s trust and surrender to God’s unexpected plan as she declares, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and submit to Him, knowing He will guide our paths. Together, these verses highlight Mary’s example of unwavering trust and obedience, reminding us to rely on God’s wisdom, even when His plans take us in unexpected directions.
God’s plans are always good, even when they’re unclear. Faith is saying 'yes' to God and then going and doing, even when you don’t have all the answers.
Mary’s faith sustained her through challenges and uncertainty.
Luke 1:46-47 says, “Mary responded, ‘Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!’”
Despite the challenges Mary faced—potential judgment, confusion, and fear—she chose to praise God and rejoice in Him. She chose to live and stand on what the Angel of the Lord had told her.
Her song, often called the Magnificat, which is found in Luke 1:46-55, reflects her deep trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty. It is a poem of praise to God, praising Him for His blessings.
When life feels uncertain, choosing to worship and focus on God can bring peace and perspective. When Mary did this, she chose to focus on the good God had for her and not the opposition she may face.
How can worship help you trust God during uncertain times?
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”
Mary likely faced many moments of worry and fear, but her example shows us the power of turning to God in trust and prayer.
Like Mary, there is another story in the Bible that helps lead us to find peace in uncertain circumstances through prayer, and that is the story of Daniel. He prayed three times a day, even when told not to, or he would be thrown into the lion’s den. He did not care what would happen to him, so he continued to pray because he knew that his faith in the Lord was the most important thing in life. He was thrown in the lion’s den, and as he was in there, he prayed, and through that prayer, God shut the mouths of the lions, and Daniel was not harmed. Prayer transcends all, even fear, and our faith in God gives us peace through trials.
Where do you need to hand over your fears and uncertainties to God today?
Luke 1:46-47 captures Mary’s song of worship as she rejoices in God, her Savior, even in the midst of uncertainty. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to turn to God in prayer instead of being anxious, promising His peace will guard our hearts and minds. Together, these verses emphasize the importance of worship and prayer in uncertain times, showing that when we focus on God, His peace and joy sustain us.
Surrender your worries to God and choose faith over fear. Faith doesn’t eliminate uncertainty, but it gives us peace as we trust God through it.
Mary’s faith reminds us to hold on to God’s promises, no matter what.
Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”
Mary treasured God’s promises and reflected on His faithfulness, even as she witnessed both joy and hardship in Jesus’ life. Her example teaches us to hold on to God’s promises in every season.
Write down God’s promises in Scripture and reflect on them during difficult moments. When we cover life with Scripture and the promises of the Lord, we are more strengthened and able to remember that we are cared for by our loving Father who will carry us and be with us during difficult times.
What promises of God are you holding on to today?
2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’ And through Christ, our ‘Amen’ ascends to God for His glory.”
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s greatest promise—our Savior and Redeemer.
Let’s anchor our faith in God’s unchanging Word.
How can you remind yourself daily of God’s promises?
Luke 2:19 shows Mary treasuring and pondering the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, reflecting on God’s work in her life. 2 Corinthians 1:20 reminds us that all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ. Together, these verses highlight Mary’s example of trusting God’s promises, encouraging us to reflect on His faithfulness and find assurance in the fulfillment of His Word.
Reflect on and trust God’s faithfulness in your lives and know that if He has been with you before, He is with you now, and He will be with you in the future.
God’s promises are sure, and His faithfulness never fails—hold on to Him.
I hope Mary’s story has inspired you to trust God more deeply. Her faith in God’s plan, her worship in uncertainty, and her reliance on His promises remind us that God is always at work, even when we can’t see the full picture.
Luke 1:38 says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Let’s take that same posture of surrender as we walk through our own lives.
My prayer is that Mary’s faith will encourage you to trust God more fully and say 'yes' to His purpose for you.