The NIV 365 Day Devotional

Mary: Woman of Faith

31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:31-38

When Mary was young, the customary age for betrothal was thirteen or fourteen. More than likely, she was a young girl when Joseph asked her to marry him. Can you imagine the excitement she felt? But that quickly changed the moment the angel Gabriel stepped into her presence and announced that she would have a son and that he would be the Savior of the world.

Jewish tradition demanded harsh treatment for unmarried pregnant women. Religious leaders would have dealt with her severely. Yet Mary remained strong in her faith. She knew that she had heard God’s Word spoken to her, and she believed that he would provide what she needed to do his will.

She was an ordinary girl with extraordinary, godly character that gave her an uncommon faith. Completely trusting in God, in every way Mary was a good and faithful servant. And she provides a model of inspiration for each one of us. For the most part, she lived her life in relative obscurity—happy and even grateful to be used by God. Yet today the world continues to celebrate her obedience to the Lord.

Taken from The NIV Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible.