A Faith That Says Yes: Lessons from Mary's Encounter with the Angel
Mary's life in Nazareth was simple and ordinary until heaven stepped into her story. In Luke 1:26-38, we witness one of the most profound moments in Scripture - the announcement of Jesus' birth to a young virgin who would become the mother of our Savior. This passage reveals that every believer will face moments when God interrupts the ordinary, calling us to respond with faith that says yes.
When God Interrupts Our Plans
Just as Mary wasn't looking for an angel or praying for her plans to be overturned, we often find ourselves unprepared for divine interruptions. God chose to begin the greatest story ever told not in Jerusalem's temple, but in Nazareth - a small, insignificant village that was often despised. This reminds us that God intentionally works through unlikely places and ordinary people.
The angel Gabriel was sent from God with divine authority. When heaven speaks, it carries God's backing. Gabriel's greeting to Mary was loaded with theological significance: "Greetings, O favored one. The Lord is with you." Each phrase declared grace, identity, and presence before the message even unfolded.
Faith Begins with a Word from God
Before Mary could conceive Christ in her womb, she had to receive God's word in her heart. The Word always precedes the work. When God calls us, He doesn't just give us a task - He gives us His presence. This is the same promise given to Moses and Gideon when they faced daunting assignments.
Even when God's word is full of grace, it can still shake us internally. Mary was greatly troubled, not by Gabriel's appearance, but by his message. Sometimes the hardest part of faith isn't seeing the supernatural - it's believing what God says about us. True faith often begins with holy disturbance, challenging our assumptions before comforting our hearts.
How Faith Faces Fear
Gabriel's first words addressed Mary's heart: "Do not be afraid, Mary." This phrase appears throughout Scripture whenever heaven speaks to earth. Faith isn't the absence of fear - it's refusing to let fear have the final word. God doesn't say "don't feel afraid," but rather "don't be afraid." There's a crucial difference.
Mary's fear was calmed not by explanation, but by assurance: "You have found favor with God." Before she could conceive a child, she had to conceive this truth - that God was for her. When God calls you to something beyond logic, it's not a reason to doubt but an invitation to depend on Him.
Questions Are Welcome in Faith
When Mary asked "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" she wasn't expressing unbelief but wonder. Unlike Zechariah who asked for proof, Mary was asking for process. She believed it would happen; she simply didn't understand how. Faith doesn't silence our questions - it sanctifies them. God never rebuked Mary for asking because sincere hearts ask sincere questions.
Faith Rests in God's Power, Not Human Strength
Gabriel's answer revealed the secret to overcoming fear: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." Mary wouldn't carry this calling alone. The same Spirit that hovered over the waters in Genesis now hovered over Mary to bring forth new creation.
When God gives you an assignment bigger than you, it's not a setup for failure - it's a setup for faith. You don't have to make it happen; the Holy Spirit will come upon you. What you cannot do in your flesh, the Spirit can accomplish through His power.
Evidence of God's Faithfulness
Gabriel provided evidence through Elizabeth's pregnancy: "Your relative Elizabeth, in her old age, has conceived a son." God often strengthens our faith by showing us what He's already done for others. Every testimony is proof that God can and will work again. When you surround yourself with living reminders of God's faithfulness, it renews your confidence that He hasn't forgotten you.
What It Means to Say Yes to God
Mary's response in verse 38 demonstrates what true faith looks like: "Behold, I am a servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word." The word "servant" means bond servant - one who willingly places themselves under another's authority. Mary's identity shifted from being spoken to, to submitting.
Faith says yes before it understands how. Mary didn't wait for proof; she believed God's word was enough. Real faith doesn't need all the details - it just needs the right direction. Obedience doesn't wait for clarity; it moves at God's command.
The Power of Surrender
Mary's "let it be" expresses deep desire and wholehearted agreement. She doesn't yet feel a baby move, but she's seen proof and believes because God's word is sufficient. This echoes Abraham's faith in Romans 4:20-21, being "fully convinced that what God has promised, he was also able to perform."
Once Mary surrendered, Gabriel departed. The conversation ended, but conception began. There comes a moment when heaven stops speaking and starts working - when explanation ends and transformation begins.
Modern Examples of Faith That Says Yes
During World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her family said yes when God interrupted their ordinary lives. They hid Jewish refugees in their small Dutch home, risking everything because obedience to Christ mattered more than personal safety. Even in the brutal conditions of Ravensbruck concentration camp, Corrie continued to shine Christ's light, leading worship services and reading Scripture to women who had lost hope.
Both Mary and Corrie stepped into the unknown, obeyed without seeing the outcome, and trusted God when nothing made sense. Their obedience had ripple effects that outlived them, proving that God still writes redemption stories through surrendered hearts.
Life Application
God is still asking His people the same question today: "Will you say yes when I speak?" Maybe He's been interrupting your plans, stirring something in your heart, or calling you into deeper obedience. Faith doesn't need the whole path - you just need to trust Him with the next step.
Your "yes" might mean letting go of control, submitting your plans to God's plans, stepping out of fear into purpose, or trusting Him with your future, family, or calling. Whatever the Holy Spirit has been whispering to you, this is your Mary moment - your opportunity to say, "Lord, I am your servant. Let it be to me according to your word."
Questions for Reflection:
What areas of your life is God asking you to surrender control?
How can you respond with faith when God's calling seems impossible?
What fears are preventing you from saying yes to God's plans for your life?
How can you trust God's word even when you don't understand the process?
When faith says yes, God begins the impossible. Don't wait for full understanding or perfect clarity. Trust that the same God who worked through Mary's obedience can work through yours.