Devotional Guide
For the week of December 21, 2003
PERFECT TIMING?
Why Mary counted her life as lost
To Read: Luke 22-24
To Know:
"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee
named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the
house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary."
(Lk. 1:26,27)
The question of the ages is this, "Are we all alone in the universe?" Are we
all alone, that is, except for God? The question has an answer. It is
answered, not by science, but in scripture. According to the Bible angels
are created beings that possess intelligence, as do we.
Angel is a word meaning messenger. The primary role of angelic beings is to
deliver divine messages. Angels are not our departed loved ones. Sometimes
angel is used to speak symbolically of pastors in churches. (Rev 1:20)
Angels like Michael and Gabriel are beings of a different order than
ourselves. They are sinless creatures that come with words from God.
Gabriel came to announce God's word to an obscure virgin girl of Jewish
peasantry. She was pregnant by an act of God. (Lk.1: 35) Unwed pregnancy was
perilous. Adultery carried the death penalty and betrothal was as legally
binding as marriage itself. Mary's life was at risk.
To Do:
Mary counted her life lost, if that was to be the cost of pleasing God. We
would be wise to open our Bibles with the same simple faith that this young
Galilean girl placed in the angel's word.
To Ask:
Father, when Mary acted in faith according to your word the world was
blessed. Grant us faith that we too might be a blessing to men and women in
the world.
12233$-12233
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