Faith In A Trustworthy God

 MARY FAITH IN A TRUSTWORTHY GOD

Read Luke 1.26-56

Trust is a funny thing, sometimes it's easy, and sometimes it can be rather difficult. Maybe you've trusted someone with a secret, like a surprise party or some big news. Maybe you've trusted someone with a material possession letting someone borrow your phone, drive your car, or use your favorite pen in class. It can be hard to trust someone you don't know well with an important secret or treasured item, but for someone you know well someone who has proven themselves trustworthy, trust likely comes much easier.

Today, we meet Mary, the mother of Jesus. She is asked to trust God with her physical body, her social status, and her

whole life, and she willingly and joyfully gives her all in trust to Him, for she knows He is trustworthy. Mary's story teaches us that we can find joy in trusting God with everything because He alone is trustworthy.

Meet Mary

Mary is perhaps one of the most well-known figures in the Christmas story. The story opens with her as a young Jewish girl-probably close in age to you! - living in a small town. She is likely not wealthy, but she is betrothed to a young man from her town, which means that her financial security and social status are already taken care of. In Mary's day, that was all a woman needed to be considered well-off, especially in her impoverished town in Galilee.

Today, we might compare Mary to a young girl making good grades, about to graduate high school, and already accepted into a good college. She has her whole life ahead of her, and according to her culture's standards, is set up for success. But then, something incredibly strange happens. An angel appears to her in a dream and tells her she is going to become pregnant.

Two thousand years ago-like today, there was a stigma around pregnancies out of wedlock. But this stigma was far worse back then than it is today. In Mary's day, pregnancy outside of marriage made a woman a social outcast, unsuitable for marriage, and if she was betrothed, her prospects would be much worse. Betrothal was more than just an engagement. It was a formal legal agreement that was as binding as a marriage. This meant that if her pregnancy was discovered, her betrothed could accuse her of adultery, and she could be put to death (Deuteronomy 22.22-24).

With this historical context in mind, we understand the gravity of Mary's situation. We don't know for sure if Mary has the option to say no to the angel, but she doesn't even try. Naturally, she wonders how the angel's prophecy could possibly come to pass - and this much she asks (Luke 1.34). The angel responds to Mary with patience and grace, assuring her that the Holy Spirit will make what's impossible possible, for she is favored by God (Luke 1.35-37). Even though this will be hard for people to believe and could be a great risk to her, Mary chooses to joyfully trust God and accepts this message with humility. She responds, "I am the Lord's servant" (Luke 1.38).

She then hurries off to visit her much older cousin, Elizabeth, who is also pregnant. During this visit, Elizabeth encourages and affirms the Lord's favour upon Mary (Luke 1:45). But instead of succumbing to self-centered pride, Mary shows us that her pride and joy come from God alone (Luke 1:46-55).

What Mary Teaches Us about God's Trustworthiness

Through her song, we see Mary's heart for and belief in God. He is a trustworthy God who cares for His people. He shows favor upon her, a humble young girl (Luke 1.48). He is who He says He is, He is merciful (Luke 1.50). He does what He says He will do, He opposes the proud and exalts the humble (Luke 1.52, Proverbs 3.34). He satisfies the longings of His people, and He helps them (Luke 1.53-55). Mary trusts God because she knows He is worthy of trust,

He promised to send a Saviour to His people, and He has chosen to use her in His plan.

It's through the child in Mary's womb that God will ultimately show His trustworthiness. God was faithful to fulfill His promise to send a Messiah to defeat sin and death and offer salvation to all who trust in Him. Through His death and resurrection, Christ confirms what Mary knew to be true of God,

"His mercy is from generation to generation" (Luke 1.50).

What Does This Mean for Me?

Mary understands that joy, satisfaction, and success are not found in earthly circumstances but in relationship with God. Because of this understanding, she joyfully trusts Him, though what He has asked of her feels daunting. Even if His plan for her would cause Mary earthly risk, she knew His plan would bring her eternal salvation and joy.

As followers of Jesus, we all need this reminder. Trusting God and living like Jesus is sometimes risky, but it is only in trusting Him that we will find eternal joy.