March 15th
Read: Col. 3:22-24; Psa. 37:9; 2 Cor. 10:4-5
Part of waiting on the LORD is recognizing and submitting to His authority over me and over the circumstances of my life. If I do this, I can be superior in all areas of my life, committing my life to His excellence in me. I can be a superior wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, and friend. I can be superior in my ministry as soul-winner, encourager, or teacher, facing testings and sufferings with the knowledge that I am not out of God’s will. I can model the Christian life and gain confidence with others. I can control my emotions and fleshly lusts. I can make right choices and priorities. I can love others as myself. In other words, I CAN COMMIT TO EXCELLENCE like Mary, Jesus’ mother.
Mary committed to excellence. She called herself the handmaid of the Lord when Gabriel told her of the birth she must expect. A handmaid is a female slave. What was a female slave called upon to do in the Jewish culture? Sarah’s handmaid Hagar was called by duty to bear a son to Abram and then to lose the inheritance of the first-born. Leah’s handmaid Zilpah bore Jacob two sons, and Rachel’s handmaid Bilhah bore him two sons, as well. Then the handmaids’ sons took the least place in the family scheme of things on earth, but were given inheritance by God. Hannah called herself the handmaid of the LORD and gave Samuel into the LORD’s hands from an early age. A Levite’s handmaid was taken to be raped and abused by men to save his life. Ruth was Boaz’s handmaid by her own words and thinking. Abigail called herself handmaid to David when she took food to his troops. A handmaid was to be swift to obey the hand signals of the master or mistress. Colossians 3:22 gives a picture of the hand slave. He or she obeys the master but in turn is given all that is needed for shelter, food, clothing, or any other need. These handmaids recognized a higher authority over their lives, and Mary saw God as her authority. She was committed to serve Him over self.
I CAN!
I can smile in the morning
When dawn skies are gray.
I can smile when I greet folks
Who pass on my way.
I can share my true feelings
With people who care.
I can listen to others
And their burdens bear.
I can tell of my Savior
And the love that is mine.
I can strive to bear fruit
As I live on HIs vine.
I can deal with my family,
Being just, being fair.
I can seek out new pathways
And new ventures dare.
I can build stronger bridges
Using faith as my tool.
I can treat other people
By Christ’s ‘golden rule’.
I can learn from my errors,
For service prepare.
I can study my Bible
I can find time for prayer.
I can do every good thing
His loving compels.
I can proclaim His grace,
How His Spirit indwells.
I can draw on His strength,
See His life everywhere.
I can do all His bidding
Because He is there.
Prayer: Dear Lord, develop in me the attitudes and obedience of a faithful handmaid.