Day #348 - Overshadowed
The Presence - A Devotional for living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder
”“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God... “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.“
Luke 1:34-35, 38 NIV
What is your favorite type of gift for Christmas?
Growing up I hated receiving clothes as Christmas gifts. One side of my family gave clothes pretty much exclusively and the other gave mostly toys. But as I got older I liked receiving clothes more and more. But the older I get the thing I like the most about Christmas is time in the presence of the people I love. Relationships have become more important than things, but of course I still enjoy a gift too.
The first Christmas came to be because of the most radical presence encounter in history. The Virgin Mary whom God had chosen to the be the mother of Jesus was visited by the angel Gabriel. Gabriel said that she would bring fourth a Son and she was not sure how this would take place since she was a virgin. Gabriel said it would be by the Holy Spirit, Who would overshadow her by the power of the Most High.
Mary had one response to “the Presence” encounter that the angel prophesied over her about: “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Eve received a prophecy after losing “the Presence” in Genesis that a Seed would come fourth born of woman. Eve disobeyed the word of God to her. Mary is the fulfillment of Eve’s prophecy. She obeyed the word of the Lord.
Mary demonstrates the right response to encounters in “the Presence” where we are overshadowed by God’s Spirit. We still experience these encounters with the Holy Spirit. Our response in these moments ought to be like Mary, yes and amen! Have your way in me Lord. There is no other response to experiencing the Holy Spirit. God’s response to our response of obedience is to bring miraculous works about in and through our lives.
Mary was chosen specially as a humble and holy woman who obey the Lord. He trusted His eternal purposes to Mary and her soon to be husband Joseph. When the Holy Spirit comes upon ordinary and humble people who trust the Lord, great things are possible. When God overshadows His people, His presence changes history.
Father God, thank you for the obedience and example of Mary. Overshadow me with Your Spirit. I want to encounter Your presence and have a heart that says may Your Word be fulfilled in me. I love the work of Your presence. Be near me and birth great things in my life. In Jesus name, amen.
Thank You Father God for letting Your light shine on me and blessing me the way You do!!! I Love You more each moment in Jesus name!
“Be near me Lord Jesus I ask you to stay, close by me forever…”🎼🎶
Oh how I love you and worship you!
🙏🏻♥️