Mary, the mother of Jesus, praised God for being “chosen” by God to give birth to the Son of God. Jesus, the Son of God lived within Mary’s womb for nine months. Amazing to think that the majestic God who is full of glory and splendor lived within that very small space of her womb (Phil. 2:6-7).

Mary was confused and full of fear. She wondered how could such a thing happen. The angel told her it would be through the Holy Spirit that this would happen.

In the days in which Mary lived this “choosing” by God brought difficulty and suffering, possible death. An unwed mother in those days brought much shame and reproach upon herself. In Matthew we read that even her betrothed, Joseph, doubted her innocence and resolved to divorce her quietly (Matthew 1:19-20).

Yet, Mary gave thanks and praise to God for this honor, not only the honor of bringing the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior, into the world; but also, the honor of having God, the Son of God, live in her.

“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has looked with favor (grace) on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation…” Luke 1:46-50

Mary: Not the Only Chosen One
Like Mary, you and I have been and are being chosen to have the presence of God inside of us, and to grow into that presence.

God is very upfront in revealing this truth to us that God, the Spirit of God lives in us.

Peter revealed this truth in Acts 2:38. This was a truth for his generation and for all the generations of true believers to come after.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off (from generation to generation) —to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” Acts 2:38-39

Other scriptures verify this truth:

• “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”  2 Timothy 1:14
• “. . . the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.” John 14:7
• “ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

These are deep truths.  Do I believe them? Will I hold unto them when the evidence of my own life contradicts them? Will I let them set me free?

Christ Growing in You
As Jesus grew inside the womb of Mary, so He is growing inside each believer.

As I give space to Jesus by dying to myself, Jesus’ nature and character are being formed within me and I am becoming more “one” with Him. Scriptures promise us this, John 17:20-23.

You may think if you knew me and how messed up I am, and even how very unlike Jesus I am; you would know how hard it is to believe this.

It is hard for me to believe this, especially when I look at myself and do not look at Jesus or the power of His Spirit to raise up and to give life. It is hard for me to believe when I try to fix or change myself and do not give myself over to the truth and the power of God’s Spirit.

When Mary was struggling with belief and trying to “reason it out” she asked the angel, “How can this be?” The angel answered her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and do this. (Luke 1:34-35)

God encourages us with the same words when we try to reason out how can this change happen. God says it is the Spirit who does this.

Meditate on these truths:

• And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:18
• But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13
• He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7
• Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

So then …
As you contemplate how to give thanks to God and how to formulate your words of praise to Him think about praising Him for “choosing to live inside of you.”

As you take time to praise God ,let the understanding of who God is, and what He is doing in you be magnified to you  – and reflect on these questions:

• What does the story of Mary’s having been chosen and the scriptures of you being chosen to have God in you, say to you? What words describe your feelings about this?
• How does this truth that “God lives in you” change your view of who you are and what your value is?
• What are ways that you have seen Christ growing in you? List these and give thanks to God for this growth.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.        1 Peter 2:9