Day Nineteen

December 21

A few days ago, we talked about Mary taking the long view on God’s work. We see this again in the last words of her song.

“He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” (verses 54–55)

As Mary closes her song of praise, she traces her pregnancy to the fulfillment of a promise God had made to her forefathers. Although Israel couldn’t keep their commitment to God, God remembers His commitment to them. He’s preparing salvation by His own merciful hand and allowing Mary to partner with Him in saving the world. God is willing to bring you and I into His plans too. We can reach those nearest to us, and we can impact the whole wide world, but we’ll have to follow Mary’s lead. We’ll need to say, “Be it done unto me according to your will.” Laying our wills down isn’t easy, but life-changing promise is on the other side!

19) In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come up after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Our willingness to deny ourselves and yield to God’s ways is regularly tested in our interactions with other people, and the Christmas season abounds with such opportunities. (Did I hear an “amen”?) Let’s journal about where the Lord’s asking us to choose His ways instead of our responses in a relationship.

Hugs,
Shellie