Mary’s Response to Elizabeth’s Encouragement
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” ’
If we’re not in a hurry, this is one worth spending a few days on.
This prayer is a response to God. It’s not just a response, like Mary’s statement “Let it be to me as you have said,” but a response to the confirmation she got from Elizabeth.
Gabriel gave Elizabeth’s pregnancy as proof that these things would happen to Mary. When Mary said “How can this happen?” Gabriel said, “Go see Elizabeth.”
We can build up one another’s faith by sharing our own experiences with God with each other. At the same time, Mary might know all of this in her head, but as she says it out loud to Elizabeth, it builds both of them up at the same time.
Sure, you might not be birthing the Messiah, but everything she says in this prayer could be said by you too. Make this prayer your own and as you read through it, realize the truth of it. God has helped you and will continue to help you.
It will take a few years until Jesus explains it and then Paul will write about it, but all who believe in Christ are sons and daughters of Abraham by faith. That means that last line about help and mercy forever counts for us too!
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