God wants to use His people to do great things. Even in extremely difficult or life changing moments, we can trust in the Lord. Mary expressed her faith in worship following a very unexpected announcement from the angel Gabriel.
"26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged[a] to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you."[b] 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.'"
Luke 1:26-33 CSB
A Surprising Encounter
Even in extremely difficult or life changing moments, we can trust in the Lord.
The Son the Son Mary would carry was to be named Jesus and He would be great. No one in history has had as much impact on the world as Jesus Christ.
"34 Mary asked the angel, "How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?" [a]
35 The angel replied to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God."
38 "See, I am the Lord's servant," said Mary. "May it happen to me as you have said." Then the angel left her."Luke 1:34-38 CSB
A Godly Response
Mary's question didn't show a lack of trust but awe-filled wonder. When God works around us and uses us for His purposes, one right response is wonder.
God's same power that worked in the lives of people like Moses would be at work in Mary's life.
Mary trusted that if God wanted to bring about this miracle, He would take care of the details, and she could trust and obey Him.
"39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!"
46 And Mary said:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 because he has looked with favor
on the humble condition of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,
49 because the Mighty One
has done great things for me,
and his name is holy.
50 His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm;
he has scattered the proud
because of the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.
53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he spoke to our ancestors.
56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home."Luke 1:39-56 CSB
A Faithful Song
Mary found Elizabeth just as Gabriel had said, and the child in Elizabeth's womb leaped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. This was further confirmation of the news Gabriel had brought to Mary.
Mary would realize that God's salvation in the Child she was carrying went far beyond earthly status and human privilege.
Mary was a prime example of God's lifting up a person of humble circumstances and was symbolic of what God would do for all people who would respond positively to His gift of grace.