Fall back to your teenage years for a moment. Many teens are still very insecure, concerned about what others think of them, somewhat irresponsible, perhaps even selfish being more apt to think of themselves before they consider the feelings of another. I was not yet saved as a teen so compounded with the above, I was enticed by the world. Worldly thinking, worldly values, it was all about me or so I thought. I had a job so there was some responsibility. I remember scooping ice cream at a well-known ice cream shop. I worked hard, but I was rewarded with a paycheck. The thought of sacrifice for another was pretty foreign.
Mt 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
[She was found with child] Her situation was the most distressing and humiliating that can be conceived. Nothing but the fullest consciousness of her own integrity, and the strongest confidence in God, could have supported her in such trying circumstances, where her reputation, her honor, and her life were at stake. What conversation passed between her and Joseph, on this discovery, we are not informed; but the issue proves that it was not satisfactory to him: nor could he resolve to consider her as his wife, till God had sent his angel to bear the most unequivocal testimony to the virgin's innocence. His whole conduct, on this occasion, was exceedingly benevolent and humane. He might at once have taken the advantage of the law, and had her stoned to death. Adam Clarke’s Commentary
De 22:23-24 "If there is a girl who is a virgin engaged to a man, and another man finds her in the city and lies with her, 24 then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and you shall stone them to death; the girl, because she did not cry out in the city, and the man, because he has violated his neighbor's wife. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you.
Consider. A young girl, in her teenage years, betrothed to a man she was to marry. Innocent, yet asked to endure a situation that very well could have cost her life. The punishment for engaging in premarital relations was death by stoning. Imagine how scared she may have been. Yet her willingness to trust God in the role He placed her in, surpasses the circumstances most of us will ever experience.
Trust is difficult. Especially when you feel alone, when others don’t understand. You rely upon those who know you to believe your ‘story’. Sometimes they do, other times you are alienated. But that’s okay! Because God understands. Remember His promise.
Mt 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
Jer 29:11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
1Co 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
While we don’t venerate Mary to be anything more than the vessel God chose to carry His Son, we can be encouraged and even amazed at her willingness to follow God in what was a difficult and even dangerous position He chose for her.
Lu 1:30-35 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.
Consider Mary’s response. ‘Lord, I am your servant’. I wasn’t there so I don’t know but I can imagine she didn’t fully understand how everything would actually come about. But, she was fully willing to comply with God’s plan. There is no account of even a struggle with choosing to follow God. Just immediate compliance with His plan for her life. And this was life-changing. Probably not the plan she had in her mind being betrothed to Joseph. And, consider how she was to explain to Joseph her condition.
Lu 1:38 And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Such trust, I am unable to comprehend. But, I pray God touches my heart to trust so completely in Him. Total confidence without fear. No apprehension for His plan for my life. A full expectation in the fulfillment of His promises.
Do we have opportunities to trust in God’s perfect plan? Absolutely! Everyday. We can be ready to obey God’s commands at all times. We can focus on His truths that He will accomplish His work in us for His purpose and glory. We can willingly and immediately submit to God’s will as we trust in His promises.
Ps 119:38 Establish Thy word to Thy servant, as that which produces reverence for Thee.
Ps 116:16 O LORD, surely I am Thy servant, I am Thy servant, the son of Thy handmaid, Thou hast loosed my bonds.
2Co 5:1-7 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this [house] we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. 6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord-- 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight--
Marvelous, humble faith! Readiness to give up ourselves for God’s plan. Firm belief in God’s divine care and providence. A submissive and obedient spirit. For these things I pray.
