What would your Song to God sound like?

Mary’s response to a greater realization of God’s favor upon her after being with Elizabeth is recorded in Luke 1:46-54. The first section is 46-49 which we will look at today. This portion of scripture is known as the Magnificat as it takes its name from the first line-magnifies. Mary begins by praising God and recognizes God is her Savior.

Luke 1:46-49 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.

Mary praises God and tells Him how much she is overjoyed to be His servant. For Mary God is accessible and she can talk directly to Him. Being accessible means God is near and wants to have a relationship with each of us. Mary knew this and calls Him her Savior. She marvels at how God has enlightened and enlivened her soul and blessed her with this child to come. She does not look down or back, but up to God. She knows He alone is Holy God, loves and cares for her and the child she carries. Mary knows that God hears her prayers and humbles herself before God in a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

How accessible is God to you? Do you take advantage of prayer and spend time communing with God? Is praise on your lips as you think about God and bow before Him? We know God is accessible to us through our faith in Jesus. He is accessible as our Savior, John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is accessible to me anytime I have need, Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” He is accessible to me when I am in need of forgiveness, Hebrews 10:22  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” God promises to be near me if I come towards Him, in James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. ” What is keeping you from God? He is always faithfully waiting for us to come to Him.

Do you have a song of praise for God today? Mary knew the joy of communing with God. It lead her to praise and joy in her soul. Join her in drawing near to accessible God in a song of praise!

Linda

May We Echo Mary’s Praises

When Mary went to stay with Elizabeth and Zachariah, Elizabeth spoke these words to Mary after her baby recognized that the one Mary was carrying was the Lord. Luke 1:45” You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” The passage that follows is know as the Magnificat, as it is Mary’s response of praise to God for God’s blessing. Marvel at the words Mary uses to describe God and His works in our world,

46 Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47     How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
God’s blessing caused Mary to rejoice.


49 For the Mighty One is holy,
    and he has done great things for me.

50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
    to all who fear him.
God is mighty, holy, eternal, merciful to those who know Him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
    and exalted the humble.
God is sovereign over all, even princely powers.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away with empty hands.
God provides.


54 He has helped his servant Israel
    and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his children forever.”
God keeps his promises.

If you were writing a song of praise to God, what would you have included? Would you acknowledge His power over all things, His great provision for you, His character and how He has blessed you specifically? Mary’s praise if complete and starts with her own knowledge of God’s blessing. It has to start with us. We need to acknowledge His grace and mercy towards us and humbly accept Him into our lives. He has marvelous wonders to work in our lives as we submit to Him. Mary is our example.

May our praises this season be reflective of His grace in our lives and far reaching to those around us.

Linda