Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)
46 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.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Dear God, what a beautiful song of praise Mary sang for You! She was thanking You for her blessings at a time when she expected to be reviled and scorned by her community for being pregnant out of wedlock. She knew she was facing very difficult challenges—if Joseph renounced her, she would have no livelihood. She probably feared that even her family would disown, for who would believe that a young, poor, naïve girl would be chosen to be the Mother of God? Yet in spite of all these difficulties she was facing, Mary chose to thank You and praise You for choosing her to carry out His plan. Her only interest was that God’s will be done, regardless of what to her personally. Give us that kind of faith, Lord—a trust in You that knows whatever You plan is good, a confidence that You will carry us through any hardships that we encounter in following Your will, a love for You that transcends fear and doubt. Help us, with Mary, to praise You for Your promises and their fulfillment. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.