Weekly Devotion no 63
17 December 2021
Bible reading – Luke 1:46-55[1]
46 Mary said,
“My soul gives glory to the Lord.
47 My spirit delights in God my Savior.
48 He has taken note of me
even though I am not considered important.
From now on all people will call me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me.
His name is holy.
50 He shows his mercy to those who have respect for him,
from parent to child down through the years.
51 He has done mighty things with his powerful arm.
He has scattered those who are proud in their deepest thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones.
But he has lifted up people who are not considered important.
53 He has filled with good things those who are hungry.
But he has sent away empty those who are rich.
54 He has helped the people of Israel, who serve him.
He has always remembered to be kind
55 to Abraham and his children down through the years.
He has done it just as he promised to our people of long ago.”
Reflection
Following a visit from the angel Gabriel to tell her that
she will become pregnant with the Son of God, Mary visits her relative
Elizabeth. This visit gives her time to process what is happening within her
and to prepare herself for the birth of her child. And whilst she is with
Elizabeth, she sings a song in response to what is happening.
Mary’s song is a humble contemplation of the mercies of
God. It begins with an expression of praise.
Mary’s song then moves into thankfulness for what God has
done for her through his power, his holiness and his mercy. She recognises her
lowly position before God, but sees that it is God who is mighty and at work.
But then the song moves into prophecy, telling of the complete reversal of human values. Through her son, God will level the proud and the rich that those who are undervalued by society might receive their right value as determined by God. As this hymn puts it: ‘Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight, the hungry fed, the humble lifted high’. And as with her prayer in Luke 1:38 that the angel’s words to her would be fulfilled, she prophesies with confidence that the Lord will accomplish these things.
Through praise,
thankfulness and prophecy, Mary shows her trust in God, that he is sovereign
and just. When life is uncertain and things around us keep changing, this is a
good way to approach each day. To praise God, who made us and who delights in us;
to thank him for all he has done for us and his people in the past; and to
remind ourselves that God is faithful and will keep his promises in the future.
Hymn
Verse 1
Tell
out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his Word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
Verse 2
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.
Verse 3
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of
his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Verse 4
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his
Word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and forevermore!
CCLI Song # 2402653 Timothy Dudley-Smith © 1962. Renewal 1990 Hope Publishing Company CCLI:69198
Prayer
Gracious God,
whose eternal Word
took flesh among us
when Mary placed her
life at the service of your will:
prepare our hearts
for his coming again
and keep us steadfast
in hope,
that we may be ready
for the coming of his kingdom;
for his sake, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
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