Luke writes, "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:20). Note five things about the heart of Mary in Luke 1:26-56.

First, note the transformed heart of Mary. Luke 1:26-28 reads, "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!'" The Lord was with her because her heart was transformed as we read in Ezekiel 36:26. Make certain you have a transformed heart by repentance of sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second, note the troubled heart of Mary. Luke 1:29-33 reads, "But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.'" It is indeed troubling to think how God uses ordinary people.

Third, note the trembling heart of Mary. Luke 1:34 reads, "Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I do not know a man?'" Mary found herself in an impossible situation. Luke 1:35-37 reads, "And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.'"

Fourth, note the trusting heart of Mary. Luke 1:38 reads, "Then Mary said, 'Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." Will you say, "Let it be to me according to your word"?

Fifth, note the triumphant heart of Mary. Luke 1:46-49 reads, "And Mary said: 'My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.'" What about the spiritual condition of your heart? Keep these things in mind as you consider the heart of Mary.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.