Luke One: Mary and the practice of reflecting on the eternal promise

Every time she looked at the infant, every time she would have been worried or tempted to think about worldly concerns - would there be enough clothing or food for the winter, would there be enough firewood, she would look at the infant, the toddler and remember, the Angel's message : He is the Son of God, the one who would inherit the Throne of David. She would be in instant reverence and faith : surely what God had conceived, He will sustain.

The angel said in Luke 1:32,33 And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. 

It was a moment when the eternal met with the temporal, the Spiritual with the human the everyday. A teenager pregnant and visited by Angels on High.

She was no ordinary teenager. She was a youth with an eternal focus, powerful conviction, true reverence and Godly love and devotion. 

"Greetings O favoured one, the lord is with you, do not be afraid for you have found favour with God". 

What is it like to live under the favour of God, when God comes near when He approaches close to live with us? So much favour that you will be in charge of raising Christ up from infant hood to manhood he will be your charge, your responsibility.

To be called literally the bride of God, you can say, God is the Father of my Children, is that great wealth?

Does favor mean wealth? she was still poor after conceiving. Their lives never attained to millionaire wealth. Although supernatural provision did come to raise the boy to manhood through the kings from the orient.

When you are caught up in the spiritual realm, the eternal realms, the things of this world are small in comparison. 

Luke Chapter one: The faith of Mary

"He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name".

From the natural perspective how is being endangered as a pregnant virgin a good thing for mary or even a great thing? how about expenses of child raising and the realities of poverty?

No, not withstanding these and in the face of these challenges she regarded the promise of God that there would be born through her, a saviour - greater honor. the promise of salvation through the son of God by the power of the holy spirit where all things become possible greater treasure.

When we keep our mind on God the savior everything makes sense. we are able to take the challenges that come. we are able to overcome the realities of life that face us.

She kept her mind on what was mighty and miraculous. She kept in her heart, the things that the angel said. Pondering over and turning over and over those precious words spoken by God's two prophets at the synagogue, that God had done an awesome thing for her, caused her to conceive when she was a virgin. she kept her mind on His mighty power and His action and intimate.involvement in her life.

"He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name"

She also came to realize something of Gods holy nature in experiencing the miraculous conception of Jesus. when we exprrice the supernatural, we touch a dimention of Gods holiness. His otherness How different He is from us.

"His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation"

She admitted her faith freely that divine love and mercy would follow her and her generations after her forever because of this one miracle stemming from her faith that was in God.

Being carried along in Gods great purpose and plan - mediations on Luke One

Mary did not strive to be spiritual or accomplish anything for God.

She was chosen by God to carry our His plan in bringing Jesus to the world.

So many times we make and put all our hopes in our own way, all our "eggs" all our heart is really following our own plan for spiritual success. Or happiness or our own vision of what we think will bring God and us the most joy. Even spiritual endeavor can be our own egos at work to prop up pride and self.

And many times we are stretched beyond our own limits beyond the boundaries of Gods grace and blessing because our hearts are not right.

Our hearts have not come to delight and rest in being taken up into Gods purpose and His great will, which also comes with great grace, empowerment and restfulness. obedience brings us to rest.

Although Mary was poor she was not overly worried about financial provision for her new baby, like we would be, or even the terror of being found out by her community which would most certainly mean death for her.

She was caught up in the beauty and worship of God Himself and His awesome plan. The first thing she does after being visited by the angel Gabriel was to visit Elizabeth whom Gabriel spoke about. To see the miracle of "nothing is impossible with God". Feed your faith on a God who does mighty wonderful impossible things. The miracle of one who is barren and now by gods power is blessed to give birth. She has a heart seeking the treasures and the wonders of Gods kingdom. That hunger no doubt qualified her for the large purposes of God.

The small the poor and insignificant in the world are not insignificant to God. She revels in the favor of God and fears not the reproach of man.

When you are caught up into Gods purpose, the son of God having the throne of David redeeming His people for Himself. There is no fear of man. There is no fear of lack of provision. There is no fear of lack of protection. God is all to you mighty riches and supply mighty comfort and peace mighty love and joy all the days even if you be a poor person in the world. You are rich in God who provides all.