_The Lord is with thee._ These words were often said of or to those to whom GOD was about to entrust some special work. He was "with Joseph" while he was in Putiphar's prison, preparing him for the great work of serving the nation during the famine. (Gen. xxxix. 21.) "I will be with thee," GOD said to Moses at the burning bush, when He told him that it was he who was to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. (Ex. iii. 12.) And to Josue, who had to bring the chosen people into the promised land, He said: "As I have been with Moses, so I will be with thee. Fear not, and be not dismayed: because the Lord thy GOD is with thee in all things whatsoever thou shalt go to." (Jos. i. 5-9.) "The Lord is with thee, O most valiant of men." This was the message the angel brought to Gedeon at the threshing floor, for he was to leave his wheat and go to deliver GOD'S people from idolatry and from their enemies. (Jud. vi. 12.) And now when Mary is being singled out for the greatest work that was ever entrusted to any child of Adam--that of being the Mother of Him Who was to save not one nation only, but the whole world, GOD sends an Archangel and bids him say to her: _The Lord is with thee_. GOD was with Mary always; but now all three Persons of the Blessed Trinity are to be with her in a very special way, to enable her to co-operate with GOD'S designs for her. But the message goes further: "Blessed art thou among women." Gabriel tells her that GOD'S message to her is that she is blessed, and more blessed than all other women! It is praise indeed, and praise from GOD Himself. But GOD can trust Mary with praise. She is full of humility, for she is full of grace; and GOD knows that she will look at things from His point of view--not from her own. I may get some consolation from these words for myself. GOD sometimes gives me work to do for Him. How blessed I am to be picked out and chosen by Him! And I may be quite sure that He is _with me_ for it. It is His own work, and He will look after it Himself; but He needs an instrument. The workman is never far from his tools, unless he has thrown them on one side as useless. "The Lord is with thee." If I see to it that I am an instrument fit and ready for His service, I need have no other anxiety. He will use me when He wants me; the responsibility of the work will be all His, and He will be with me, doing His work by means of me. O Mary, my Mother, help me to see things from GOD'S point of view, as thou didst. Obtain for me the grace to be full of confidence about any work with which GOD may entrust me. And while I rejoice to be amongst those _blessed_ ones whom He picks out to do His work, obtain for me the grace of humility. And if the Workman should allow any words of praise to be given to the instrument, may it be because He can count on the humility of His instrument--because He knows that the praise will all be passed on to Himself.