Praising God
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Key Verses: “Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.” Selected Scripture: |
IT WAS AFTER MARY HAD heard that her kinswoman Elisabeth had conceived that she hurried to her home in joy to greet her. Mary’s arrival and greeting caused the babe in the womb of Elisabeth to leap, and Elisabeth received the Holy Spirit.
God works in mysterious ways; now Elisabeth knew that Mary was to bear a child, and through the aid of the Holy Spirit she became aware of the great miracle that would soon happen. Elisabeth loudly proclaimed, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” (Luke 1:42) Then asked, “Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”—vs. 43
With Elisabeth there was no envy that a woman many years younger than she should have the honor of conceiving in her virginity, and to become the mother of the Messiah. She rejoiced in the honor granted her, although being much less. This was a lesson in true humility, because the humble always think of others before themselves. We see why the Heavenly Father bestowed such honor upon these women for as we read in Proverbs 15:33, “Before honour is humility.”
In Luke 1:45 we read, “Blessed is she that believed.” Those that believe are indeed blessed. They that believe God’s Word know that the Word will not fail them, that there shall be a fulfillment of God’s promises. With this assurance we should encourage others to exercise faith in God.
Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” (vs. 46) That is, I recognize him as a great and mighty God. Those who think of God highly, honorably, will at all times seek to glorify him in all their activities. We read in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
In verse 48 Mary speaks prophetically saying, “All generations shall call me blessed.” Many Christian generations have recognized how the great God of the universe honored Mary in being the mother of Jesus. Mary’s faith, humility, and obedience will for all times stand out as a monument to her.
In verse 50 Mary says, “His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.” The word fear in this scripture has the thought of reverence. His mercy will indeed be on all who reverence him.
In furtherance of prophecy Mary points to the future and says in verses 51-55 that God’s holy Arm (Jesus) “Hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.” Again through prophecy Mary says that God would help Israel. These prophecies will be fulfilled in the promise made to Abraham, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”—Gen. 22:18