Live A Life Of Faith Like Mary Did

Why do you suppose that God chose Mary to receive a message delivered by the angel Gabriel? First and foremost, when anyone does anything for God, it must begin with a life of faith.

Therefore, He chose Mary because she lived her life on a foundation of faith. Prophets in the Old Testament named two other specific qualities which she possessed.

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Luke 1:26-27

The prophets said a virgin would give birth to the Messiah. Hence, God chose the Virgin Mary. Also, the prophets said He would be born into the lineage of David. So, Gabriel approached her.

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Luke 1:28

This greeting probably caught Mary by surprise. We don’t know if Gabriel stood before her in glowing white with visible wings. Or did he look like a human delivering a message?

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. Luke 1:29

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If he looked like an angelic being, I don’t know if confusion would properly describe her feelings. No matter his appearance, he wanted to assure her she had no reason to fear.

Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! Luke 1:30

Mary, probably in her older teenage years, lived by the law and kept herself pure. Her spiritual dedication resulted in her physical commitment to purity.

Gabriel gave her two compliments. He identified her as favored and that the Lord was with her. In other words, God favored her with His presence because her life exhibited faith in Him.

Details of Mary’s Calling

He told her she would give birth to a son and name Him Jesus. Continuing, the angel told Mary how she would conceive the child and explained the child’s life.

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and
you will name him Jesus.
He will be very great and
will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
And he will reign over Israel forever;
his Kingdom will never end!”
the power of the Most High will overshadow you,
the baby to be born will be holy, and
he will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:31-33,35

Gabriel told her the Christmas story in a nutshell. In this story, God crossed the line from His Divine nature to take on our human nature. The story sets forth the humanity of our Savior.

In the midst of Gabriel’s description of God’s plan and how it involved Mary, she posed the following question.

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” Luke 1:34

She asked a valid question because she knew the natural way of having children. So, the angel let her know that her conception would happen supernaturally.

Even though Mary had some questions, she never questioned or doubted God. Gabriel then told Mary about her “barren” cousin expecting a child, and he confirmed that God’s Word doesn’t fail.

What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.” Luke 1:36-37

Will You Live Your Life by Faith at All Costs?

So, the angel had laid out God’s plan and how it included Mary. She committed herself to God’s plan. Even if it meant risking the reputation of her life, she decided to walk with Him by faith.

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

Now, how can we apply Mary’s story to our lives? God won’t call us to do what Mary did, but we can use her same principles. She lived her life for the Lord and walked with Him by faith.

Our application to fulfilling God’s will begins where hers began: by believing God and trusting Him.

No matter where you are in your spiritual life, do you want to be used by God? Be honest with yourself because God already knows your heart. Are you living a life of faith?

Because of the life Mary led, God sent an angel to give her an important task. Could God send an angel from heaven to give you a special assignment?

Mary’s life was exactly where it needed to be for what God wanted her to do. We should also maintain a life of faith that makes us available for whatever God calls us to do.

Maybe you aren’t young, or you haven’t lived a pure life. Since God isn’t concerned about your past, then you can start brand new today. Give your life to God and trust Him by faith.

Are You Ready for an Angelic Visit?

So, will God send an angel to speak to you? Maybe, maybe not. He will give you special assignments as you walk by faith and live an obedient life in Him.

Lord, thank you for sharing Mary’s life of obedience with us. Just like Mary, we can also get confused and disturbed. Help me to keep my life focused on you while walking by faith.

Check out the other posts about angels of the Lord