O Come, let us Adore Him

"I was not born to be free.
I was born to adore and to obey"
C.S. Lewis

This morning as I sat quietly in my favorite chair with only the light from a lamp on the table and a little bit of sunrise peering in through the window, I read Luke Chapter One from beginning to end and as usual I always have to stop at verse 38 and think about Mary's amazing response to the angel of the Lord, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." The angel of the Lord had just told Mary that even though she had never known a man, she was going to have a baby and His name shall be called Jesus. Mary's response was one of faithful obedience and pure adoration.

John Macarthur in his book Twelve Extraordinary Women writes:

"There's no evidence that Mary ever brooded over the effect her pregnancy would have on her reputation. She instantly, humbly, and joyfully submitted to God's will without further doubt or question. She could hardly have had a more godly response to the announcement of Jesus' birth. It demonstrated that she was a young woman of mature faith and one who was a worshiper of the true God. Her great joy over the Lord's plan for her would soon be very evident."

It shouldn't surprise us that Mary would sing her praise to God at such a time. The Book of Job says that God created the whole world while the angels sang praises. The Psalms tell us over and over to sing praises to the Lord. It also tells us that praise makes us beautiful! Nehemiah says that praise makes us strong! And Isaiah says to sing to the Lord when He has done excellent things.

46 And Mary said: “ My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

As I sit here in the early morning hour, my own heart is full and I am ready to sing forth his praises, but as I get up from my chair to warm my cup of coffee, I think about my own responses to the Lord at different times and seasons of my life. As I carefully sit back down placing my coffee cup next to me and picking up my journal, I can't help but think that I all too often have been more concerned about my reputation and what others would think, than obeying God's word, His voice, or His message to me. I sit back and with a deep sigh, I think on those things that God has allowed in my own life that others might be tempted to whisper or wonder what I have done or haven't done in order for this to be happening. And yet the desire to be obedient and trust God, just as Mary had seems to give me new strength. I begin jotting my thoughts down about this verse. I no longer want to ask questions like, "why" and "what if", but rather, "Here is your maidservant Lord, let it be to me according to your word."

What is the "let it be" in your life? Have you put stipulations on what you are willing to do only accepting of those things that will make you look good or desiring only that which comes in a certain package? Do you worry more about what others think, than walking in obedience and adoration of our Savior?

Lord, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus! Lord, "let it be" in my life according to your word and plan. I put my faith and trust in you. I no longer want to be concerned about what others may think, but I want to walk in obedience and sing praises to God my Savior! O Come, let us Adore Him!

In Him,
Chris

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