I had the privilege of speaking Sunday morning at my church. My topic was Mary’s story. In my address, I give thoughts about Mary and what we can learn from her. I do hope this is a blessing to you. It was to me as I studied and let God organize my thoughts for this presentation.
Blessings from the First Sunday of Advent,
Linda
I have been pondering today’s scripture for several days. Luke 1:34-38 continues the encounter of Gabriel and Mary. She begins with a question and listens as the angel explains how and why Mary will become pregnant. Amazingly Mary states her unwavering obedience to God before Gabriel leaves her.
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. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 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.” And the angel departed from her.
Where is God in this encounter? God is the Sovereign force behind the events happening right then. He is All-Powerful, Omnipotent God who can make the impossible 
happen. But, the attribute that has stuck in my mind is Incomprehensible. Not in our wildest human plans would we have come up with a miraculous birth by a lowly young Jewish maiden to save all mankind. We cannot understand God’s thoughts, plans or ways with our finite minds. His ways are always righteous and good for all people. His ways and plans bless us and glorify Him. Here are a few verses that speak to the incomprehensibility of God:
Job 5:9 “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”
Isaiah 40:28 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Isaiah 55:8 ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.”
Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “
How big is your God? Mary knew God could do great and impossible things in the world and in her life. She experienced the incomprehensibility of God in her life and accepted it on faith. Can you do that too? When you face hard to deal with questions or situations in life, can you trust in Jesus anyway? Walking with Jesus is a life long journey of learning and discovery as no one can plumb the depths of God’s Word or fully know His character. He wants to teach us to love and trust Him realizing He is incomprehensible and His ways are not our ways.
Linda
Gabriel next appeared to Mary, the young virgin betrothed to Joseph, and told her she was going to be the mother of the Son of God. Mary was fearful and concerned about what this would mean for her future. The angel calmed her fears and pointed her to God. Luke 1:26-33
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
There is so much to see about God in this portion of the Christmas Story. God is all powerful and can do all things, Omnipotent. God has a plan for the redemption of mankind and has had it since the beginning of time and He is using a young girl to move 
His plan forward, Sovereign, Eternal. But today, I see a personal God. The angel told Mary not to fear and called her by name. God knew her personally. She was not just some girl but one God had specifically chosen for the task of being the mother of Jesus, His Son. God is a person who knows us, desires a relationship with us and communicates with us. Here He spoke to Mary by name through the angel Gabriel, but He also speaks to us today through His Word and in prayer.
Jesus assured us in John 10:3-4 “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” Jesus as our good shepherd knows each one who believes in Him by name. We are also assured that as believers we can and will recognize Him when He speaks or calls to us.
Mary as a young girl knew this too and trusted her future to God. God knows you personally; He knows your name. Call out to Him today with assurance that He will answer because He knows you and knows exactly what you need even before you ask. Be greatly encouraged, the God of the universe knows you by name.
Linda
Isaiah 7:14 is one of the most beautiful prophecy’s about the birth of Jesus. Isaiah gave this prophecy during the reign of wicked King Ahaz. He had paid Assyrians to induce them to attack Syria. King Ahaz had put his faith and trust in men instead of calling upon God for defense. Isaiah invited Ahaz to request a sign of faith from God, but Ahaz in his stubbornness refused. God then address the whole house of Israel with this prophecy of the coming Messiah, their true hope, and sign from Almighty God that He 
would provide deliverance. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
God is amazing as 400 years later this came to pass just as He said. Matthew 1:19-25 gives us the account of the angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, and telling him not to fear taking Mary as his wife. The child she is carrying will be called Jesus, Immanuel, meaning ‘God with us’ and was conceived by God the Holy Spirit. “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
An angel also appeared to Mary and told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33
What amazes you today about this prophecy and drama as it unfolded? I love the specific details of young Mary and the baby. Jesus, God with us, truly came to save us from our sins just as the angel said He would. The odds of this happening just this way in 
exactly the way God said it would affirms God’s sovereignty, omniscience, wisdom and power. How can all this be we ask along with Mary? The angel had it right in verse 37 “ For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Praise Him and give Him your impossible today!
Linda
Fearless Living 