"My soul glorifies the Lord and my soul rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm, he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but he has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."
As I read these words this week, I was greatly calmed and comforted. Even as I write them now, they bring me much peace. You could say that the author of them knew how to look at the glass as half-full rather than half-empty, because the times and circumstances in which they were spoken were difficult and filled with uncertainty. Any idea who said them? I'll give you a hint, they come from Luke 1. That rules out Moses, David, and the Prophets of the Old Testament, along with Jesus since He isn't born until chapter 2.
They are spoken by Mary, the mother of Jesus. She had just received the news that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah. Great news, right? Well, except for the fact she wasn't married and only had a disappearing angel to vouch for her claim to virginity. I can hear her parents now. "You saw an angel, and he said what?" Uh-huh. She had a reason to be freaked-out. She takes off to go visit her cousin. Who wouldn't? I'm sure Elizabeth was someone she loved and trusted or she wouldn't have gone to her, but she probably wasn't expecting to be greeted with such excitement over her condition, especially since she hadn't told her the news yet.
"Blessed are you among women, Mary, and blessed is the child you will bear!"
"What? How did you know?"
"Oh, the baby told me," Elizabeth laughed, patting her own rounded belly with her wrinkled hand. "Blessed are you who has believed what the Lord said to you is going to happen!"
Mary wouldn't have believed Lizzy except her own story was just as crazy, and she needed to hear those words. "Blessed are you because you believe." It can be difficult to believe. And it can be difficult to believe we are blessed for believing.
Faith is all about believing the unbelievable. Mary may not have been exactly sure what was going to happen and how, but faith doesn't involve those elements. Faith isn't about knowing what is going to happen, it's about knowing whatever happens will be good when God is involved. It's not about what I know, but Who I know.
Mary and I have never met. Mary lived in a different time-period, a different country, and a different culture than I am living in today. But we know the same God. Yahweh. Jehovah. The Mighty One who has done great things for me. Holy is His Name.
Others can say that God doesn't...or God won't...or God can't...But God will always show who He is and what He can do. He is not limited by the unbelief of others. He is who He is and will do what He will do. God is always who He is, whether you or I believe it or not. God is mighty, holy, amazing, awesome, powerful, loving, merciful, good, right, and just. Whether we worship Him for Who He is or not—He still is. He wants us to recognize and believe for our benefit so we can have confidence, peace, hope, joy, and patience. Like Mary did. She believed because of what she heard God say, not because of what she could see.
I'm sure she had her moments of doubt too. Perhaps when she did, she sang words penned by her ancestor David. We would be blessed to do the same:
"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings." Psalm 62:1-4
4 comments:
I am especially blessed by the realization that God is who He is. . .whether I recognize it and worship Him for it or not!
So the whole point of me recognizing who He is and worshiping Him. . .is to find the peace and confidence and hope and joy and blessings that come when have opened my heart to the fullness of all that He is!!
Thanks for another inspirational and uplifting devotional :)
Love you!
Kevin
Thank you for reminding me again how great our God is. Even thou I read his word daily it always gives my faith a boost to hear from another prespective. I am "Praising Him in this storm" today.
God bless you,
In His Love
Encouraging post. He is all that you said, "mighty, holy, amazing, awesome, powerful, loving, merciful, good, right, and just." I'm so glad He is not limited by the unbelief of others. I don't want to look at the cup half empty...or half full, I want to always remember that when it comes from the hand of God it is overflowing with His goodness. Thank you for your wise words:)
Thanks for sharing this :) I needed to be reminded that He is who He is, and that I just need to have faith even though I don't have the answers I want to have.
I like the part when you said "He wants us to recognize and believe for our benefit so we can have confidence, peace, hope, joy, and patience." Often times I think those benefits are something I will experience later on if I have faith now. But after I read that I realized that I have more confidence, peace, hope, joy, and patience right now even as I go through my trials, because I am trusting and believing in Him to restore me and carry me through them.
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