The Blessing of Mary
by Lynda Scott
When I look at the account of Mary in the Bible it really challenges me. Mary was a young unmarried woman, but one whom God chose to be the earthly mother of His son, Jesus. The angel Gabriel came to tell her the good news that she would give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. I love how Gabriel tells her that she has found favour with God (verse 30). Mary, who would have been privately going about her everyday life, had found favour with God. How amazing!
After Gabriel finishes telling Mary all the good things that the Lord has in store for her, he awaits her response. She said “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” How awesome is that! It’s a response, firstly, with submission - “I am the Lord’s servant.” It’s a response of faith - what Gabriel says has not happened yet, but Mary is expecting it to happen, however unlikely it seems. Finally, it’s a response of obedience. Mary now goes into her next day expecting what the angel has told her will happen, and being prepared to obey the Lord in whatever way is necessary. And this is exactly what she did.
What Mary couldn’t have known at the time was how her submission, faith and obedience would bless other people. Actually, the whole of human history has subsequently been blessed because of Mary’s response of submission, faith and obedience through Jesus.
We might feel that our own lives are different. We might think Mary was exceptional, so it doesn’t really apply to us. But what we need to understand is that our personal and private response to God does matter. That was what God was looking at in Mary. I think that’s why she had found favour with God. Do you dare to believe today that could be you too?
When we walk in an attitude of submission, faith and obedience to Jesus, other people will be blessed, in ways we can’t even imagine. So, my challenge to you today is to think of Mary, and let her response to God inspire you to be like her, and that your life will reflect an attitude of submission, faith and obedience to Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for Mary and her life’s example. Please help me to live a life of submission, faith and obedience to Jesus, like Mary. And may what I do be a blessing to others. I pray that You would look at me, and, like Mary, I would find favour in Your eyes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lynda Scott was first introduced to Ellel Ministries at a conference led by Peter and Fiona Horrobin in 1996 when she was miraculously healed following a devastating accident. Lynda has continued her association with Ellel Ministries over the years and has recently written her story “Lynda: From Accident & Trauma to Healing & Wholeness.” She lives in Australia with her husband Leigh and 3 children, who are all at school. She works in a local health clinic, as well as helping her husband with the administration of their beef cattle farm.
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