Women of Courage – The Study of Mary, the mother of Jesus – Oct 19

Review of question 5: In Daily Reflections day 3, MacArthur introduces the section: “Worshipping with someone who understands”.  How precious it is to have someone close to be able to share in the experiences that God calls us to.   To be able to worship in openness, knowing you will be supported and loved through it, in the truth of the Lord.  Mary and Elizabeth had this sweet time of intimate worship for 3 months, sharing in their miraculous pregnancies.  We are developing intimacy together as women worshipping together in our bible study.

Question 6:  Mary’s praise indicates her heart for God.  Everything in her praise was about God, not herself.  Her faith was one of humility, glorifying God in every word.  Starting from her encounter with Gabriel, we see that Mary’s faith was a faith of action, trusting in the Lord and acting in her faith in the Lord, rather than being hindered by her prayers. 

Psalm 34:3 says, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt is name together”.  Mary’s first words in her praise mirror this verse.  Psalm 69:30 also speaks of magnifying and rejoicing in the Lord.  Psalm 136:23 says, “Who remembered us in our low estate, for His loving kindness is everlasting”, which is very like Mary’s song: “For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant”.  There is but one God to be magnified and glorified.   Clearly Mary knew scripture, but it was not just a head knowledge.  Her heart was filled with scripture and a love for the Lord.  How special for Mary to have been able to refer back to these scriptures, glorifying the Lord in her own circumstances.  We, too, can identify times in our lives when the Lord has shown Himself to be mighty, doing great things for us, times when He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant. 

Mary’s praise is even more precious and powerful when we really think about her circumstances, and the stigma that would have been attached to her for the remainder of her life.  How easy it could have been for her to dwell on her circumstances.  But rather than dwelling on the stressed relationships that would develop, and her own physical hardships to come, Mary kept her focus on God, dwelling on Him and His attributes, and realizing the blessings that He has bestowed on her. 

Verses 51-52 of Mary’s praise refer back to the history of Israel.  Sometimes when we are upset or stressed it can be helpful to go back in history, remembering the big things that God has done and dwell on those, then apply those things to our current circumstances.  Mary seems to be doing this here, dwelling on God who is mighty, who is merciful and strong through the generations of Israel.  In the last two verses she goes back to Abraham: “He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever”.  How precious that Mary was able to go back to God’s promise to Abraham and to see that that promise was indeed applicable to her current circumstance.

 

 

Oct. 5 Study

Women of Courage – The Study of Mary, the mother of Jesus – Oct 5

Question 3: Nazareth in geography was in ways similar to Phelan, somewhat rural with views of hills.  Mary descended from the line of David through Nathan, rather than the kingly line of Solomon – how did her family carry that?  It must have been sweet, yet perhaps humbling.  It is precious to think that this family rank did not matter, or perhaps it really did, to our God when He chose the woman to be the earthly mother to His Son.  Mary must have led a joyful yet work-filled life, preparing for her betrothal at what we would consider a very early age.   How much effort must Mary’s parents have put forth in choosing a husband for their daughter, and yet the match was clear God planned and ordained.  How sweet to think about our own children, our prayers for their future spouses, and the plans God has for them.

Question 4: Mary must have had many mixed feelings: shock, confusion, being overwhelmed.  She obviously would have been familiar with the prophesies of the messiah, and the stories of old of angels appearing to various people throughout the ages, and yet, it must have been a shock to actually see Gabriel standing there.  Note that Mary did not crumble before the angel, nor flee from being alone with a “man” form – she must have had an inner strength.  It bring to mind the verse that says: “We can do all things through [Christ] who gives us strength”.  Hearing his message may also have caused her to stop and rethink the direction of her life and realize that all her plans will immediately change.  She was truly troubled by the message, yet she stood on the promises of God.  Sometimes God causes us to just stop and wait, and even change direction of our lives.  His plans sometimes seems to go opposite of ours.  Mary’s faith must have been so great to respond with, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!  Let it be to me according to your word”. 

God provided Mary with comfort and strength as is indicated in Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing will be impossible”.  What a beautiful promise from God!  2 Cor 1:20 indicates that Jesus is the yes and the Amen to this promise God made to Mary. 

Question 5: God’s timing and provision is amazing.  It must have been comforting to Mary to have someone so dear to her to be able to talk and share with her, who would really understand what was happening.  God brought these two pregnant women together for this brief period to support each other in their miraculous experiences.  How many of us have had experiences that we need to talk about with someone, yet we must choose who we speak with about it because only certain people with understand.  Yet God provides.  Even if only for a brief period.  God gives us fellowship to help us recharge and gain confirmation of the truth on a regular basis through our church and sometimes intense fellowship with specific individuals for a season.  Mary got confirmation that her situation was truly from God as soon as she walked into Elizabeth’s house. 

God likely also very much used Mary and Elizabeth’s age difference to build up and support each of the women.  Elizabeth, being much older, may have been a motherly, mentor figure to Mary, which would have been very encouraging to her.  Mary, being younger and more energetic, must have also encouraged Elizabeth in her spiritual energy and also her physical well-being at the end of her pregnancy.