"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Monday, December 23, 2024 - Day 357 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Habakkuk; Rev. 14)
MARY’S FAITHFUL ANSWER
“The righteous shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4b ESV)
The prophet Habakkuk was used by the Lord to do all that he could to keep God’s people focused on the coming of the Messiah. He encouraged them to have faith in the coming of their promised Savior.
Nine months before the birth of Jesus, we find an account of a simple young woman’s response to an amazing announcement. The amazing part of this announcement was not the fact that it came from the angel Gabriel. The amazing part was the effect that the news of the birth of her Savior had on her:
30 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 call his name Jesus...”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God... 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:30-38 ESV)
How amazing! Mary was to be the mother of Jesus, the long promised Messiah. His birth would be miraculous – no earthly father – “conceived by the Holy Spirit.” And while Mary had her question, she accepted Gabriel’s answer with these faithful words:
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
Her answer shows her trust in God and her willingness to follow Him – to live by faith and follow His Word.
As you prepare to celebrate the birth of Mary’s precious baby boy, may you follow Mary’s example of living by faith!
The following beautiful words are based on the next section from Luke 1:46-55...
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior;
For He has regarded
the lowliness of His handmaiden.
For behold, from this day
all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One has done great things to me,
and holy is His name;
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy
as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.
("My Soul Magnifies the Lord" / The Magnificat from Evening Prayer, LSB 248)
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/fGLMX-du4_Y
Gracious heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Mary’s faithful service. As You led Mary to follow Your Word, so lead and bless me too, so that all that I do may glorify You. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
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