Psalms 145:1-3, 16:2, 8:1, add 31:1-3

My Shepherd met me in HIs green pastures and laid me down in Luke 1. The story of Gabriel’s visit to Mary intrigues me, and the Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind at verse 29:

Luke 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

I thought of this young bride receiving a visit from Gabriel to announce the conclusion of the 69th week, and how she responded: Where is this going? “What manner of salutation” is this?

An angel, and not just any angel, this is Gabriel of Daniel’s prophecy. He was commissioned by God to deliver the famous prophecy of the 70 weeks (Daniel 9:24-27): from the going forth of the commandment of Cyrus to restore and build Jerusalem to the arrival of Messiah the prince would be 69 weeks. The commandment went forth (Ezra 1), and now the time had come for the Messiah to arrive. The angel who was commissioned to declare this prophecy to Daniel, was sent to Mary to announce its fulfillment (Luke 1:30-33; see Isaiah 7:14).

We are not told whether Mary knew what angel spoke to her. Gabriel introduced himself by name to Zacharias (Luke 1:19), but there is no record of him declaring his name to Mary. But it was important to the Spirit that we know what angel was sent to Mary (Luke 1:26).

Along the still waters, I thought about this and wondered: That a man had entered into her room did not cause her to shriek in fear. Apparently, the angel was concerned that she would be afraid, and bid her, “Fear not, Mary” (Luke 1:30).  But we would not have described her reaction with adjectives like horror, terror or anger. Startled, to be sure, troubled, indicating anxiety, but her response was not to flee, or cry for help, or even, as is usual when confronted by a mighty angel, to fall down upon her face, and faint (Daniel 8:17-19).

Instead, the Spirit testifies that when Gabriel declared, “Hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (see Daniel 9:23; 10:11, 19), she was focused on what he said. It was his “saying” that troubled her and her response to it was interesting to me: “what manner of salutation will this be?” Hear it? She wondered, where is this going?

Mary was not flattered by the honor of the angels address, her opinion of herself was not affirmed; she saw herself as lowly, of “low estate” — esteemed by the world as being of a low station, class, or circumstance. Her response demonstrated genuine humility.

Her response also revealed a very practical mind. When the Angel announced that she would conceive the Son of God, she immediately responded with a practical concern: “How shall this be?” She understood how conception occurred, she said, “seeing I know not a man.” The flattery of the angel’s words and the notion that she would conceive the Son of God, didn’t even register. She was zeroed in on the practicality of it all.

And finally, her response reveals a devoted character. Mary consented to the will of God: “Behold,” look here to me; “the handmaid of the Lord,” servant to God, “be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38).

The whole account is amazing! But like every encounter, it was also revealing. Much is discovered about our own character in how we respond to GOD when we encounter Him. Consider Abraham, who “believed,” Jacob who persevered and received a new name, David who drew closer to God in trouble, and courageously stood up to giants by faith; and the Romans and Jews who responded to their encounter by crucifying the King of Glory.

In the valley, shadowed by the Cross, I knelt to reflect on what of my own character has been discovered through my many encounters with GOD. God saw a commander in Abraham and genuine faith, and He brought it into the record of his life through divine encounters; likewise Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David, Daniel and his three friends too, and me, and you. What did your last encounter with God reveal about you?

Your response to this encounter will say it all. Hear Jesus speak to you right now: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Does your response model faith, courage, determination, love for God displayed by obedience to His call? Do you say with Abram, Jacob, David, Daniel, and Mary: “Be it unto me according to thy word”?

At the table, my Shepherd anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup to overflowing, mingled with His sufficient grace. Goodness and mercy hurried to catch up as we walked together into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

https://rumble.com/v7g5f0e-shepherds-pasture-what-every-divine-encounter-reveals-about-you.html