A Servant of the Lord

Glorifying God with her soul (mind, will and emotions) was not something that just happened naturally in Mary’s life. This was the spiritual response of a profound encounter with the angel Gabriel who was sent to reveal the will of God for her life to her.

To call someone Lord is to acknowledge their authority. To submit to and under that authority is to move beyond acknowledgment into humble obedience. Mary could not have understood fully what God was saying to her, or about to do in and through her, however, it is clear that she was a humble young woman.

When God showed up in her life, every plan that she had for herself as a young engaged woman changed. Her dreams for her future became God’s plans for her future, which she handed over to Him as she replied to the seemingly impossible revelation by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (verse 38).

There is a principle in Scripture that teaches us, through example, that blessing follows belief in, and obedience to, God’s revealed will. Noah believed God, and mankind was saved through him (Genesis 6). Abraham believed God, and the nations were birthed through him (Genesis 15:5). Moses believed God, and the children of Israel were miraculously delivered out of slavery and into their God-given inheritance (Exodus 3).

Mary believed God, and the promised Messiah, who is Jesus Christ, came into the world, just as was prophesied in Isaiah 9, and written about in the Gospels.

A tax collector, two fishermen, and a doctor believed God, followed Jesus, and the Church was born, and the gospels were written. Saul, who became Paul, believed God, and the gospel spread throughout the world, welcoming the Gentiles into eternal life if they would believe in God’s Son Jesus (Acts). And finally, the Son of God believed His Father, humbly submitted to the cross, and made a way for all mankind to step into eternity alive, if only they will come through Him (John 14:6).

To glorify is to honour with praise, admiration and worship. What we worship will always take the first place in our lives, whether an object, person or even ourselves. Believing IN God is not the same as believing God, accepting and obeying His truth; most of the world believes that. Believing God is a will choice to move beyond the acknowledgment into humble obedience despite what you can or cannot see; and that comes out of a human spirit that has been touched personally by God.

Has God been revealing His good, pleasing and perfect will to you? (Romans 12:2).
Will you move from believing into humble obedience today?

Prayer: Father, I come choosing to humble myself before You today, submitting spirit, soul and body to You, as King and Lord of all. May it be said of me that I am a servant of the Lord. I choose to believe You and welcome Your perfect will in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.