Morning Devotional October 5, 2016

Luke 1:46-55

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”



In these verse we see Mary, the mother of Jesus, talking with her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Elizabeth is about 6 months pregnant with John and Mary has recently found out that she is pregnant with Jesus. Both pregnancies were miracles of God. Elizabeth because of her age and being barren all of her life and Mary because she was a virgin and had not been with a man.
Notice as Mary speaks. Who does she give the glory to for what has been placed on her? Does she take credit for her faithfulness to God? Does she brag about being the mother of the Messiah? No!!! She starts off praising God!!! “My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.”
No self gratification at all in her words. No self glory. No self praise. All of her words are praising God the Father. She understands and is humbled by the fact that God chose her to bare His Son, her Savior and the Savior of His people. Yet so many will give Mary more glory and place her higher even than God Himself. Songs have been written about her. Images of worship to her have been made by the hands of man. Whole religious ceremonies praise her. Holy days set aside to give her glory for being the mother of Jesus.
But Mary, never sought this glory. She never asked for praise. God never told us to worship her.
I encourage you to study the words of Mary. As a child of God, she followed the commandments of God and praised Him and gave Him the glory for all. As should we. Follow the commandments of God. Give Him and only Him the glory and praise for all in our lives. Only He is worthy of our praise and glory!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool