The Duty of Attitude - Catherine Veazey
With Christmas rapidly approaching on the calendar, I cannot help but reflect on that beautiful passage in Luke 1-2 recounting the birth of our Saviour. But today I challenge us to reflect on Mary. We understand she is not to be worshipped or even “put on a pedestal” as an object of attainment, as if to say, “ I wander if I am highly favored and blessed among women”. We would err to exalt her even to that degree in our minds. However, every person ever created in His image, which is all mankind, can be used as ensamples to each of us weather good or bad. Let’s take a moment and look directly at her attitude about the entire situation and parallel it with Psalm 119:165-175.
1. An Attitude of Fear Not
Luke 1:29 says, “And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.” Troubled does not mean worried or scared, but rather wandering or curious. Why was Gabriel there? What could possibly be his errand this night?
Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have they that love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” “Offend” means to be in distress over. Her curiosity was normal, but we do not see any indication where she was fearful or worried, and the peace she exhibited in the very moment the angel appeared is displayed in the absence of distress (“offend”).
2. An Attitude of Understanding NOT Questioning
Luke 1:34 says, “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” Mary does not have a debating spirit here, but asking to understand because she knew the reality of her virginity.
Psalm 119:169 says, “Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.” We know this to be true by her next attitude….
3. An Attitude of Complete Submission
Luke 1:38 says, “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” I like to think that I am submissive! I mean, which of us would be the first to say, “I am not submissive.”? But then I read submission like this, and I am dumbfounded honestly. Who would believe her-really?! But we do not see any indication that she even slightly hesitated to surrender to the Lord’s will for her life. Wow!
Psalm 119:166-168 says, “LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. I have
kept thy precepts and thy testimonies:for all my ways are before thee.” This young girl understood the God she worshipped, and she could completely trust His ways.
4. An Attitude of Worship
Her next response comes in Luke 1:46-55. She goes to Elizabeth to tell her the news, and then she sings a worship song to the God of her Saviour. “ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath Holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.”
When I compare her song in Luke 1 to Psalm 119:171-175, it is simply the most logical response for her to worship. It says, “My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; let thy judgements help me.”
So how does this apply to me? I paralleled Luke 1-2 with Psalm 119 because it is a chapter dedicated to the Word of God and how it will manifest in our lives, whether through judgement, protection, leading, or comfort on a daily basis. We get the privilege of seeing Into Mary’s heart by the attitudes she exhibited in Luke 1-2. The only way she had the responses she did is to have the relationship with the Lord and His Law BEFORE these events happened. Many say that troubles and disruptions in our lives can bring about a negative response in our lives, but the reality is that troubles and upsets only reveal the attitudes of our heart, they do not make the attitudes of our heart. This is true because “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.” Mary’s heart was revealed through each verse, and clearly it was a result from her personal walk with the Lord and her love for His Word.
Ladies, if you are struggling with fear, or understanding, or submission, could it be that your walk and love for the Lord and His Word is lacking? Let us have a renewed love for His Word this Christmas season, and then let’s watch what God will do in our hearts in every area of our life!