Luke 1: 46-56
Mary’s Song
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
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.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Let’s take another look at Mary’s song.
For a few days we’ll focus on practices, which nurture the habit of welcoming salvation. Who would not want to welcome salvation?
Well, if we stop to remember that the New Testament talks about ‘salvation’ in three tenses … ‘we have been saved’, ‘we are being saved’ and ‘we shall be saved’ … we will all find facets of the full salvation the Lord is ushering us into which we resist, or try to avoid, I’m sure.
Practising faith before the event, as Mary demonstrates here, is a sure and certain way of the Lord helping us enlarge our capacity to embrace more of his ‘every spiritual blessing’ (Eph. 1:3). Let’s remind ourselves where Mary was when she sang out “from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” She was pregnant and hardly anyone would have believed the truth of her song lyrics. It could be, at this point, that even Joseph was not yet on board with what God had in mind, only Elizabeth.
I don’t know about you, but even though Jesus says I only need faith the size of a mustard seed, I’d frequently value more. Faith, like a muscle, grows with exercise … practice.
Speaking out (if you’d rather not sing) faith aloud places faith in an environment, which encourages growth. Try it this week. Think of something you’ve been secretly believing, on the inside, but not told anyone else. Then risk it, share it out loud, preferably with another human being.
I find there’s something about hearing my own voice say something, which adds strength. It’s one reason DNA groups work – the simple fact that I commit to meeting with another person, to reflect on what I’ve wondered God might be saying previously, makes me more likely to live out by faith what He’s said.
Living now in the light of God’s promised future also places faith in an environment, which encourages growth. If you don’t tell anyone whatever you’re believing in, then no one will hold you to it. Is our avoidance of accountability a reason we don’t speak out our faith? If you tell someone ‘I believe God has promised XY or Z, they might remember! Mary lived it out, trusting in the Angel’s words, prepared for whatever the consequences might be. Mary put her money where her mouth was before anyone believed a word when she said “the Mighty One has done great things for me”.
| Prayer: Dear Lord. Give me enough faith to believe in what you are saying to me right now, so I might put my trust in your words. Give me strength to speak for you without undue concern about the cost. Give me courage to act on your words and live out my life consistently with your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
