11 - Advent
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Christmas–Advent 2023
Day 11 | MARY’S SONG: THE MAGNIFICAT
Christmas–Advent 2023
Day 11 | MARY’S SONG: THE MAGNIFICAT
MARY’S SONG: THE MAGNIFICAT
Luke 1:46-55
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of 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. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.’”
How do you react when the LORD does something for you?
Frankly, we all are much more ungrateful than we would like to admit. Studies show that most people lack real gratitude towards anyone who does anything for them… whether it be God or another person. We are like many two-year-olds who – when receiving a gift – need to be nudged… “What do you say?” (“Thank-you”).
Before this song, Luke tells us that Mary visited Elizabeth, and that John (in Elizabeth’s womb) “leaped in her and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41) Wow!
I can imagine Mary – pondering that her elderly relative was pregnant by the will of God and that she too, an unmarried teenager, was pregnant by the same way – couldn’t hold back praising God with her words:
“My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior … From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name!”
Words of thanks, praise, and worship are what our Heavenly Father is longing to hear from us, His children.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to be more sensitive for opportunities to praise, thank, and rejoice in You. Help me to daily stop and thank You and bless Your name. Amen.
Luke 1:46-55
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of 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. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.’”
How do you react when the LORD does something for you?
Frankly, we all are much more ungrateful than we would like to admit. Studies show that most people lack real gratitude towards anyone who does anything for them… whether it be God or another person. We are like many two-year-olds who – when receiving a gift – need to be nudged… “What do you say?” (“Thank-you”).
Before this song, Luke tells us that Mary visited Elizabeth, and that John (in Elizabeth’s womb) “leaped in her and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41) Wow!
I can imagine Mary – pondering that her elderly relative was pregnant by the will of God and that she too, an unmarried teenager, was pregnant by the same way – couldn’t hold back praising God with her words:
“My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior … From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name!”
Words of thanks, praise, and worship are what our Heavenly Father is longing to hear from us, His children.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to be more sensitive for opportunities to praise, thank, and rejoice in You. Help me to daily stop and thank You and bless Your name. Amen.