Monday 08 April 2024

Psalm 40

Background

Today we pause in our daily pattern of readings to celebrate Mary. God had chosen this young unknown woman for something very special.

Mary had learned to trust God deeply. The profile we pick up between the lines of Scripture tells the whole story. Mary was raised in a poor, but godly home, where life was hard, but God was good. When she heard that she was to be the mother of the Messiah she didn’t know how things would turn out for her either now, or in the future. She just heard an angel saying “Nothing will be impossible with God.” (v. 37)

We are then allowed to eavesdrop on her utterly amazing, faithful response: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (v. 38)

Mary had learned through hard times that God was and is faithful. She trusted God even though she didn’t fully understand or know what was to come.

Of course, Mary knew the identity of the son she was to bear. Read again verses 32 -33: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Mary heard those titles: ‘Jesus’, ‘Son of the Most High’, ‘Messiah’. Before anyone else on earth knew who Jesus was or why he came, Mary knew and promptly burst into a song of praise. It is a shame that our reading for today doesn’t include it. Do read Luke 1:46-55 with our reflection in mind (or listen to this YouTube recording ‘Tell out my soul’).

I wonder what this means for us today? God chooses the unlikely to bear God’s love and walk God’s way. God empowers the unlikely – those who know they have problems, the nobodies, the wayward. God shows mercy to those who don’t deserve it – as we see it! – and God finds those hungry for trust, goodness, grace and mercy, and fills them.

What do you see in Mary’s story? Maybe you even find yourself reflected there!

To Ponder:

• Do you find yourself in a place where you need or want to trust God more?
• Are there ways in which you can bear Christ’s ways in your life?

Prayer

Lord, keep our hearts humble and our lives open to you that we may humbly bear witness to love and grace in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Andy Fyall
Andy Fyall is Chair of the Nottingham & Derby District with oversight of New Places for New People. He is married to Helen, also a Methodist minister, and is dad to Hannah and Matthew. He served in the Cardiff and Nottingham (South) and Stamford Circuits, before returning to Nottingham in 2022. In his spare time Andy enjoys spending time with his family as well as walking, cycling, cooking and choral singing.