Daily Devotional for Friday, December 5

The Salutation to Mary

“And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation should be,” Luke 1:29.

Years ago, while driving home from work, I had called into a sports radio call-in show. Unfortunately, I was driving on snow, and my pickup truck lost control, and I slammed into a concrete barrier. I had an accident that was broadcast live on the radio! I had to end the phone call so I could get out of my vehicle and assess the damage.

            While I am standing there by my truck on the overpass trying to figure out what I was going to do next, people started driving by and yelling out my name. The first time it happened, I was surprised, but I also assumed it was a probably a coworker headed home. But it was not. As a matter of fact, I did not recognize any of the many people that yelled out my name. And even though all these folks somehow knew my name, not a single person stopped to help. Of course, I was spooked. How did so many strangers know who I was? Had I died and gone to Heaven? What was going on? Of course, I quickly realized I was not dreaming or dead. They had heard me on the radio.

             Imagine Mary’s shock when a complete stranger came up to her, greeted her the way Gabriel did, and then gave her the most astounding news any human could possibly receive. Honestly, I would be greatly troubled, too. But after that initial shock wore off, Mary showed her faithfulness to God. “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38).

CHALLENGE

You may be surprised by what God calls you to do, but trust Him regardless, and faithfully follow Him.

Chris Floyd