Mary’s Surrender: To Have a Heart Like Hers
by: Ann Allen Salter
December 10, 2025
“Do not fear the reproach of man”
To have a heart like Mary’s is nothing natural at all. Before we talk about her immediate reaction when approached by the angel Gabriel, let’s remember that she was young (probably 14-15 years old), poor, and engaged to Joseph. These characteristics would make her seem quite unsuitable for much of any big task–but God! Gabriel was clear in his message, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you…You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 28-32). Three points stand out which mark Mary’s immediate supernatural reaction: 1) Mary believed God. 2) Mary feared God more than man. 3) Mary promptly and willfully obeyed God.
Let’s dive a little deeper into this heart of hers. Sara laughed (Genesis 18:12), Zechariah doubted (Luke 1:18), but Mary believed. Something so sudden, so unexpected, and so extraordinary evoked a faith response because Mary knew her Father. She believed in her heart, not just her mind. Likewise, our response to God’s message to us should never be natural laughter, or doubt, only supernatural faith. Are we ever guilty of “Let me think about it, let me analyze it, let me ask my friends and family…”? Guilty as charged– oh, to have a heart like Mary’s.
Mary feared God more than man. Her reputation, her marriage, her very life was in danger, yet she left all these issues with God and submitted entirely to His will. “Do not fear the reproach of man” (Isaiah 51:7). “If I were still trying to please man I wouldn’t be a servant of God” (Galatians 1:10).
Mary promptly and willfully obeyed God. She asked but one obvious question, “How?”, not “Why?” or “When?”, then immediately responded, “Be it unto me according to your Word” (Luke 1:38, KJV). “Yes! I will be a mother for the Lord! As his servant, I accept whatever he has for me. May everything you have told me come to pass” (TPT, Luke 1:38). There was zero hesitation. Our character, our heart, is certainly revealed in how we immediately respond to the unexpected. Mary knew that slow obedience was no obedience.
As a believer, youtoo are called and chosen to carry the Son. To carry His Presence and carry out His purposes and plans in these end times, your heart will need to be like Mary’s. Will you believe God? Will you fear God, not man? Will you promptly and willfully obey?
Prayer
“Father God, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for this special season to celebrate His birth. Thank You for choosing me to carry Your Son in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Please forgive me for the many times my response to Your message has been natural, not supernatural. Forgive me for my slow obedience at times, which is no obedience. Forgive me for fear of or seeking approval of man when you clearly command me to fear You and please You alone. Forgive me for not fully trusting You at times. Let Godly sorrow lead me to true repentance. As I choose to die to my flesh more and more, would you give me a heart like Mary’s? “Yes! …As his servant, I accept whatever he has for me. May everything you have told me come to pass” (TPT, Luke 1:38).
Worship: Mary Did You Know
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To have a heart like Mary’s is nothing natural at all. Before we talk about her immediate reaction when approached by the angel Gabriel, let’s remember that she was young (probably 14-15 years old), poor, and engaged to Joseph. These characteristics would make her seem quite unsuitable for much of any big task–but God! Gabriel was clear in his message, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you…You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 28-32). Three points stand out which mark Mary’s immediate supernatural reaction: 1) Mary believed God. 2) Mary feared God more than man. 3) Mary promptly and willfully obeyed God.