Read Psalm 103:19-22
Praise can be big or small. Praise can be on your knees, face to the floor, through tears and whispers. Praise can be jumping and dancing, reaching your arms as high as they go, trying to touch the heavens. Psalm 103 speaks of praise in this bigness and in this smallness.
The angels, the mighty ones, praise the Lord. All the heavenly hosts praise the Lord. Every work of the Lord in His dominion praises the Lord! This vastness of praise is a massive chorus, a vehement anthem that rains over the heavens and the earth, singing of the glory of the Lord! Then, the Psalmist goes quieter saying, “Praise the Lord, my soul” and we understand that praise is also the gentle, still melody in our heart of hearts—and that God hears and loves it all the same.
When we look at Mary’s song, we don’t know if her praise was a shout or a whisper, a vehement anthem or a still melody. But we do know that she praised the Lord with everything she had that day, for she knew her Savior was coming. And we can do the same, for we know our Savior is here.
QUESTIONS:
1. How does Mary's song help you in your faith and trust of God?
2. When God asks something really outside your comfort zone, how can you be ready to respond with a big YES, with joy?
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, I want to have unflinching faith like Mary, Jesus' mother. Fill me with that desire. Amen.
Kelsey Payne
Showing posts with label Mary's Song. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mary's Song. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Mary's Song
Read Luke 1:46-56
What makes you sing? Ideas and experiences have always been expressed through song in deeper ways than words alone can manage. Songs speak from heart to heart in ways that articulate the deepest human longings. In these verses, Luke tells us that the baby within Elizabeth (a.k.a. John the Baptist) leaped for joy within her at the greeting of her cousin, Mary. The presence of Jesus, still in Mary’s womb, was already fulfilling human longing and bringing joy to the world!
At this, Mary’s soul burst forth in song as the words of "The Magnificat" flowed from her lips, exalting the uniqueness of her Savior. This song subverts our expectations about what it means to be in relationship with God. It's by grace and not merit, through weakness and not strength, through humility and not power-plays, by admitting our need instead of striving for self-sufficiency. If your relationship with God depends on what you bring to the table, the likelihood is that your heart won’t be overflowing with joy anytime soon. So, make Mary's words your own by praying the Magnificat daily for the remainder of Advent. See if a song begins to bubble up in your heart, too!
QUESTIONS:
1. What is your basic mode-of-operation with God? Do you approach Him out of duty, entitlement, or rather grace? What symptoms or signs typify each approach?
2. Self-sufficiency is the enemy of relationship with God, but the hallmark of Western society. How does this tension impact your ability to follow Jesus daily?
PRAYER:
God, with empty hands outstretched, I seek Your presence, Your favor, Your joy. Let these gifts overflow me to bless others in Jesus' name. Amen.
Jeff Morlock
What makes you sing? Ideas and experiences have always been expressed through song in deeper ways than words alone can manage. Songs speak from heart to heart in ways that articulate the deepest human longings. In these verses, Luke tells us that the baby within Elizabeth (a.k.a. John the Baptist) leaped for joy within her at the greeting of her cousin, Mary. The presence of Jesus, still in Mary’s womb, was already fulfilling human longing and bringing joy to the world!
At this, Mary’s soul burst forth in song as the words of "The Magnificat" flowed from her lips, exalting the uniqueness of her Savior. This song subverts our expectations about what it means to be in relationship with God. It's by grace and not merit, through weakness and not strength, through humility and not power-plays, by admitting our need instead of striving for self-sufficiency. If your relationship with God depends on what you bring to the table, the likelihood is that your heart won’t be overflowing with joy anytime soon. So, make Mary's words your own by praying the Magnificat daily for the remainder of Advent. See if a song begins to bubble up in your heart, too!
QUESTIONS:
1. What is your basic mode-of-operation with God? Do you approach Him out of duty, entitlement, or rather grace? What symptoms or signs typify each approach?
2. Self-sufficiency is the enemy of relationship with God, but the hallmark of Western society. How does this tension impact your ability to follow Jesus daily?
PRAYER:
God, with empty hands outstretched, I seek Your presence, Your favor, Your joy. Let these gifts overflow me to bless others in Jesus' name. Amen.
Jeff Morlock
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