Mary Didn’t Know
“O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8
A friend shared a song with me a few days ago—”Mary Did You Know”* by Peter Hollens. Although I knew the song, I had never heard this rendition. (I share the link below.) It’s a beautiful acapella version where he amazingly sings six parts of harmony himself! Growing up, I sang in church choir, school choir, and a girls’ trio. I love beautiful harmony! It touches my soul. This song has stuck in my brain, and I find myself singing/humming it repeatedly—even waking up in the night with it on my mind. In doing so, I’ve thought a lot about the lyrics.
An angel came to Mary about her bearing the Son of God. We’ll never know how much she fully understood the implications of that, but she said a resounding “yes” to the Lord. She couldn’t have known He would walk on water, heal the blind and deaf, calm the storm, and give His life for mankind. But she said “yes” in an amazing act of faith and obedience. I can’t begin to imagine how she felt when she saw her Son crucified. She was a courageous woman in saying “yes” in spite of all the unknowns of the future!
I can’t say what I would have done in her place, but I know I’ve said “yes” to the Lord in many situations throughout my life, certainly not having a clear understanding of the implications of that “yes.” Saying “yes” to the Lord involves trusting that He knows what He’s doing and will help us with what is to come. He never gives us more than we can bear in response to that “yes.”
I remember singing these words: “I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, Over mountain or plain or sea; I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord; I’ll be what you want me to be.”** We sing it so easily in a moment of commitment in a church service—and then we’re surprised when something difficult comes up in response to that commitment.
I don’t fully understand, but I know that the recent years in Floyd’s life and mine have something to do with things we’ve said “yes” to. I probably won’t fully understand until eternity. I guess I could be asked, “Sally, did you know?” I didn’t! But God knew, and He has walked faithfully by my side in everything. I couldn’t ask for anything more—and, seeing His faithfulness, I know I can face whatever is still ahead.
Mary didn’t know what was ahead. Floyd didn’t know. I didn’t know and still don’t know. But God knows! And He will be with us every minute of every hour of every day in whatever comes our way! What a wonderful God!
Jesus, we celebrate the day of Your birth with joy. We are ever thankful that You know what is ahead in our lives, and You will prepare us for the day it is revealed to us. May we say “yes” to You without hesitation. Amen.
It’s definitely a learning experience from the first day to wherever we are now! But all of it teaches us to trust and depend on the Lord with all our might. He IS our Salvation!