Goggle the word “abide” and you will get this definition: accept or act in accordance with.
When I think of the word abide, I am reminded of the real life example of Mary–the mother of Jesus.
Luke 1: 30-31 & 38 reminds us of this… Then the angel said to her, “Do not beafraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bringforth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus"…. Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according toyour word.”
Imagine being this young girl who experiences an angelic visitor with puzzling yet life altering news.
First things first—a visit from an angel would have been enough to scare me to pieces. But I imagine that the angel presented himself in a way that was not so alarming as he reminded her to “fear not”.
Then, the news must have been confusing. Knowing that she had never been intimate with a man it was reasonable to expect a pinch of disbelief—at least at first.
All in all, her final response is key. “Let it be according to your word”.
Mary's words and actions teach a powerful lesson. She demonstrates what it means to abide.
Accept... Act In Accordance With...
Challenge: Ask yourself these questions:
- How often do I ABIDE the Words of God?
- Do I Accept God’s Word?
- Do I Act in Accordance With God's Word?
Let the ‘SON’ Shine In: ABIDE