LET IT BE DONE (12-18-10)

Luke 1:38
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your word.”
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THE LORD IS WITH YOU.
Many times in the Old Testament the words “the Lord is with you” signaled that someone was being called to a daunting task. In fact, these words often accompanied an invitation from God to play a crucial role in his plan of salvation. At the same time, these words offered assurance that they would not face these challenges alone. Some of Israel’s greatest leaders—men like Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon and David—were told that God would be with them when they were commissioned to serve his people.

FAVOR WITH GOD
Like the phrase “The Lord is with you,” the notion of finding “favor with God” also would bring to mind Old Testament covenant mediators in God’s salvation plan. Noah was the first person in the Bible described as finding favor with God (see Genesis 6:8). God saved him and his family from the flood and gave him a covenant to be the head of a renewed human family. The next person to find favor with God was Abraham (see Genesis 18:2-3). God made a covenant with him, calling on his family to be the instrument through which he would bring blessing to all the nations of the world.

Like these great covenant mediators of the Old Testament, Mary has found favor with God for God is with her. Walking in the footsteps of Noah, Abraham, Moses and David, Mary now is called to serve as an important cooperator in the divine plan to bring salvation to all the nations.

And we are called in the same token.

Are you willing to be His “handmaid”?

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, You have revealed the beauty of your power by exalting the lowly virgin of Nazareth and making her the mother of our Savior. Her total obedience brought Jesus to the waiting , and may we, on the same token, called to be your handmaid for the salvation of many. Amen +

Let the Lord enter; He is the King of glory.