How frightened Mary must have been! She has a promise from the Lord, but how are the people going to react? Let’s be honest people will react! Can you relate to any of this? Has God asked something of you that the circumstances are dicey and our reputation is in jeopardy? We must hold fast to God’s promise, empowered to walk the path before us.
In tough times, we must be careful to resist the temptation to take the burdens onto our shoulders. We must place our worries, concerns, and anxieties at the foot of the cross each morning. We must also allow God to do the work in us. God is willing to show us the way through the situation you find yourself in today. Like Mary, though, we must guard our hearts.
“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23. The heart occurs in the Bible over one thousand times. Many of those verses warn us to guard our hearts, asking God to reveal its mysteries. He desires to nurture and strengthen our spirit, search our hearts, and reveal any attitudes that oppose love.
This holiday season, ponder on Mary’s courageous walk of obedience. Invite God’s word to reveal the condition of your heart and comfort the hurting, barren places. God is gentle and good. Our Heavenly Father wants to lift off our shoulders any burdens that weigh us down.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this glorious day that you have made. I pray that we will guard our hearts. I pray that we will trust you in all things.
In Jesus Name
Amen
