Mindful of Me

In the time of Herod, king of Judea, God sent the angel Gabriel to make two announcements. One announcement was made to an old, childless man as he served the Lord in the temple. The other announcement was made to a young, childless virgin as she served the Lord in the village.

The announcement to the old man had regard to a son who would be born to him, a miraculous son, since he and his wife were advanced in age. The announcement to the young virgin also regarded a Son, a miraculous Son, since she was unmarried and never knew a man.

The old man's son would be the servant of God, preparing the way for the coming of God to earth. The young virgin's Son would be the Son of God, preparing the way for the coming of men to heaven.

The old man replied with disbelief and was struck with silence. The young virgin responded with faith and was given a song. He got a son who died at the hand of unbelievers. She got a Son who died on behalf of unbelievers.

Mary's song, a prophecy of praise, contains this incredible line: [God] has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. Walk carefully with these words for a moment. God, the Almighty, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Creator of untold worlds and situations, the Decider of countless destinies and the Sovereign of innumerable circumstances, the Upholder of universes and the Sustainer of heartbeats beyond reckoning, has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

"God the Most" pays attention to the life condition of "Me the Least." (Yes, I know a misplaced comma would wreak havoc with the meaning of this sentence, that's why there are no commas.) Mary was the least. Mary was unimportant, unnoticed, unknown. Mary was noteworthy for nothing more, nor anything less, than God's attention. It was his plan, his purpose, his mindfulness of her condition and his action in her condition that added blessing to her life.

And so it is with us, with me and you. Peter reminds us, in quoting from the Old Testament, that "the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ear is inclined to their prayer." For four hundred years there were no prophecies, no word from the Lord, until the old man and the young virgin. Yet she understands. God had not abandoned his plan. He had not deserted his promise. He had not canceled his blessing. All along he had been mindful and now had acted.

Do you wonder at the silence of the heavens? Do you question whether God is distant, aloof, gone altogether? He is not. He is mindful of the humble state of his servant. His eye is upon you. His ear is inclined to you. And when the time is right, he will stretch forth his hand and act mightily on behalf of his servant.

It is not always easy to remain content while we wait the move of the Spirit, so let your contentment be in this, "God is mindful of the humble state of his servant." God knows your state of affairs. God knows you. God loves you. God will fulfill his plan for you.