How do you respond to bad news? To challenges? To setbacks?
Do you know how young Mary responded when the angel came and said, in effect, “God will make you pregnant, but everyone will assume the worst and will whisper lies about you for the rest of your life, and it will be a hard road and–in the words of Simeon–a sword will pierce your very soul” (Luke 2:35)? Do you recall her words?
Did she argue like Moses and try to get out of it (Exodus 4:1)? Did she blame God like Job (Job 9:22-24)? Did she fuss at God and ask Him to end her life the way Elijah did (1 Kings 19:4)? No.
She spoke one of the greatest answers in the Bible:
Behold the bondservant of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Luke 1:38.
Isn’t that the perfect response?
Could she have done any better? What beautiful words. I have thought of these often, and spoken them in prayer many times.
I consider my circumstances and talk to God about my problems and I offer myself, my time, my money, and my problems to God:
“I think my truck is terminal, but I trust you. Behold the bondservant of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to thy word.”
“I don’t know what to do about the bills. But behold the bondservant of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.”
“How do I lead my family? How do I pray for my children? Behold the bondservant of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to thy word.”
What are your problems? What challenges has God allowed in your life? Pray about them and use Mary’s words to offer yourself to God. Let Him do His work. You will be blessed if you submit.
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Household Words: 