vv 46, 47. Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!
So begins Mary’s song of praise which is generally called the Magnificat. This was not an immediate response from Mary as she had first to travel to visit one of her relatives, Elizabeth, who was 6 months pregnant. It was Elizabeth who confirmed what Mary had heard from the angel, and at that moment the uncertainty in Mary’s mind seems to have been dispersed, and this wonderful song of praise bursts out.
As you read through today, try to either remember or write down the many things that Mary attributes to God. Phrases like – he took notice of his lowly servant girl, … He shows mercy from generation to generation … He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. …. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. There are so many little phrases like this that contrast God’s way of doing things with the expectations of the ‘Religious Elite’. God’s value system stands in stark contrast to the worldly values that we so easily take into our lives these days.
Which of these contrast phrases rings the loudest bells for you – and why?
For me, it is the little phrase in verse 54, where we read ‘and remembered to be merciful.‘ When I consider the greatness of God and the quality of the life which I live today, I am so thankful that God remembers to be merciful!
If He were not merciful which of us could ever stand in His presence?
Can you even begin to imagine God being forgetful?
—