Mary: Saying “Yes” To God

Even though heartfelt  and committed, Mary’s “yes” would present some problems. She was fully aware of her virginity and betrothal to Joseph.

I’ve said “yes” to God many times. Perhaps you have, too. For the most part, I’ve done my best to rest in God’s plan and yield to Him, but even so, I’ve made mistakes. Thankfully though, those are merely events and moments in time, and they don’t define my overall walk. Through the years, I’ve known successes too, and I’ve seen God’s goodness times over. I’ve seen deliverance when only a miracle would do, provision when human efforts failed, and supernatural healing when no remedy remained. I’ve even experienced His divine touch myself, and I rejoice in knowing that I will be like Him when I see Him face to face. But my immediate problem remains, and perhaps it’s yours, too. It’s a dilemma that’s akin to Paul’s, who humbly declared, “Sometimes, I do what I don’t understand. For what I will to do, that I don’t practice, but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15). The best part of all is this: When I cry out to Jesus, He forgives me before I ask and comes speedily. Indeed, only God can deliver us from this body of flesh.

I have highlighted my condition to contrast Mary’s faithful commitment, because I believe her “yes” is worth examining. Although she was young and innocent at the time of her call, Mary’s “yes” stuck. If she were a gymnast and her yes was the dismount - we’d say,  “Wow, she nailed it!” No doubt, her score would be tens! I begin this meditation by calling out her commitment because it is so profound, and we cannot overlook her part. That’s her love, sacrifice, and faithfulness. But it was more than that.

Unlike believers who struggle with keeping their pledges alive, Mary didn't. Instead, hers ideally led to life - the life of our Savior. So on what appeared to be an ordinary day, Mary had a divine visitation and said yes to God. Her selfless words conveyed God's heart and sprung forth with seamless effort. So please take notice of that and her complete and total surrender. It was immediate and without forethought, debate, or pondering, even though we know she was a ponderer. Indeed, faith like Mary’s is noteworthy. Although believers sometimes struggle to keep pledges, Mary didn't. Not only was her "yes" powerful, passionate, and predestined, it was empowered by God's Spirit. And for Mary, there was no turning back. Instantly, she supernaturally conceived by the power of God's Spirit - and it was accomplished.

The entire scene begs a question. How was she able to yield so swiftly and completely? I believe it was in her heart. So even though there is much to be said about Mary, her heart for God is what astounds me most. At a time when women had no formal education and didn’t study God’s word, Mary was saturated with it. Mary knew God - She believed Him to be steadfast and faithful.  But it was more than that. Mary knew the promises of God and His plans. Take notice of that, because what she knew of God’s Word is not only amazing, it drove her decisions. We cannot ignore the fact that God’s Word was written on her heart, and her coming confession will expose that truth. In the future, Jesus will say, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouths speaks,” and Mary’s did. But truth be told, God saw her love and respect for His word and her incredible faith in it long before she ever conceived, had a visitation from Gabriel, or made a verbal confession. Can you see that powerful combination?  It’s love and respect for and faith in God’s word. When a woman reads or hears God’s word, respects it, takes it to heart, and believes it - despite what the eye sees - it’s powerful. Precisely, that’s what Mary did. When Gabriel spoke, Mary believed God’s word, against what her earthly circumstances dictated. Consequently, she believed and responded from heart wisdom and availed herself to God.

Rest assured that although faithful, Mary was not blind to her present condition. Even though heartfelt  and committed, Mary’s “yes” would present some problems. She was fully aware of her virginity and betrothal to Joseph. She knew she was bound to Joseph in marriage; therefore, her yes condemned her. She also knew she would face shame and ridicule, possibly stoning. Nonetheless, Mary had faith, plus the strength of God behind her and His infant Son hidden deep within her womb!

Ladies, Mary was born for this! She was called to partner with God to birth a love like the world had never seen. And that’s our Mary, but the plan was not new. It had been coming all the days of her life, but it was more than that. Long before the world began, God chose Mary. She had been prepared for this moment from eternity past, and every little nuance and detail was handled throughout her life - down to the selection of Joseph to co-parent God’s son. Surely it was no happenstance that they met and fell in love. No, indeed, for something as crucial as this, God’s sovereignty guided it all.

Did she know she was being prepared in the process? Of course not. But she knew God and longed for Him, and the essence of her hope is revealed in her confession. (See Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46-56.) Mary would be steadfast and true and never look back - only heavenward - with an incredible love for God and faith in His promises. So on the day that Mary said “yes” to Gabriel, God was not surprised. But I bet Mary surprised herself. Until then, she did not know her inner strength or the depth of her incredible hope in God.

What’s our takeaway? Our “yes” changes lives - ours and others. It will cost us too, as it did Mary. But the beauty of it is this: When we lose our life, we find life in Him, and there’s nothing better. Knowing Him and saying “Yes” when He calls is the utmost privilege of our lives. Who knew that Mary’s yes, could bring life to the dead, give sight to the blind, cause the lame to leap, bring hope to the hopeless, and launch the praises of heaven for the great I AM?  Did Mary’s heart know that the One she delivered would bring her deliverance and ours? Perhaps she did. Even so, Mary could look heavenward and dream, because she knew God and believed for the impossible. Wholly smitten with love, Mary could caress her belly and smile. Knowing God’s word, Mary knew that what was impossible with man is possible with God. She was living proof! 

Prayer: Mighty and gracious Lord, fill us with a kingdom love and use us! When You call, may we be filled with Your Spirit and moved to respond! Give us the grace to say like Mary, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Amen.