Luke 1:46-56
Please do not think I am being sacrilegious but Mary was responding to the faith building experience of Elizabeth’s words spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit . She was bursting with the good news of God and rejoicing or as the Message puts it “dancing the song of my Savior God.” I imagine Elizabeth didn’t just stand still but “danced” in her own way, too. Remember she was an old woman with child and John was going to be special, true, but pregnant is pregnant —and light on your feet, it’s not.
Mary’s response included a tribute to God and the child within her—showing humility by accepting and embracing the gift of giving birth to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. There’s an E (example) here for us who follow the SPACE method of discipleship time with God.* Following the example of Mary, we should accept, embrace, develop, and most of all use the gifts God has given to you. God’s mercy is new every morning we wake up and say, “God morning, Lord.”
As a beach bum living in the high desert 500+ miles from the ocean, I love the fact that God’s “mercy flows wave after wave” on those who are in awe before Him. That is a refreshing word picture for me. Notice the present tense of our position/relationship with God—it’s present tense, happening now. Remember this is the day to draw near to God and He will be near to you. Speaking of remembering, that is what Mary did next; recount God’s faithfulness to His people. If you are not familiar with the Old Testament’s accounts of God in the lives of Abraham, Samuel, Elijah, David, Ruth, Esther and others, you are missing out on some foundational blocks of the Christian faith and some examples of living in obedience to God and the gift of God’s forgiveness. Check them out.
How long do you think Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced in this experience? I can read the words in about 28 seconds. I think during the actual experience the words were savored and the moment fully lived. Rejoice in God’s work in you and may ourFfather be glorified today in our lives.
Hugs,
Mimi
*SPACE a daily devotional practice that includes: Sin for us to confess, a Promise of God for us to embrace, an Attitude for me to change, Command for me to obey, and an example for me to follow. I first heard of SPACE from Billie Hanks.
