Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Feeling a bit overwhelmed the past few days with God's call to obediently follow, trust and wait in a specific area of my life, this morning the Lord so tenderly met me with peace in the truth of His Word. The beautiful, awesome Christmas story made fresh and applicable to my life once again!
Mary, the Virgin Mary, chosen by God to bare His Son; I think chosen because God knew she would say "yes" to His call. Today I saw with new eyes, the depth of Mary's obedience and the peace she was given as a result. Mary received a life altering message from the angel, Gabriel, and her response was immediate, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 2:38)
I was struck today with a renewed realization Mary didn't argue with Gabriel about how this assignment from God would impact her. Knowing people would talk and understanding the severe consequences of being with child prematurely, and for Joseph, not of his seed, Mary didn't ask Gabriel for time to consult with her parents or with Joseph. Mary, simply received the favor of the Lord, His call on her life, and obediently said, "Yes, Lord, I am your servant."
The result of Mary's obedience was peace as the Lord Himself took care of the details. "An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'" (Matthew 1:20) It was then Joseph's opportunity and responsibility to say "yes" to the Lord for his appointed role in God's plan. And he did say yes, "When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus." (Matthew 1:24-25)
Peace, the world looks for peace, desires peace and demands peace will only be possible when all strife, conflict and wars are ended. However, that is not the truth of God's word, as we see through Mary and Joseph, and their obedient "yes, Lord". The peace of God is available to us through simple obedience in the midst of chaos, family squabbles, political differences, and warring governments. Peace has come, Immanuel, God with us, King Jesus, Ruler of all!
Lord, Jesus, Prince of Peace, thank You for the peace You give when we submit to You, Your plan and Your time with an obedient heart and an obedient walk. Thank You for working out the details when we simply bow in Your Presence and say, "Yes, Lord, I am Your servant, and I surrender to Your will." You are my peace, You are our peace; may we exemplify Your peace as we walk in this dark world obedient to Your call, glorifying and exalting Your name above all names, Amen and Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment