Joy, Mary, Lk.1.46f.

“My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (Lk. 1:46f.). Are you experiencing great joy in your spirit? If not, is it possible that your soul is no longer pleased with the Lord, or that the Lord is not pleased with your soul? Mary was the Lord’s special vessel. Her womb served God as a type of ark for the delivery of the Deliverer. Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, revealed the mystery of Mary’s joy saying, “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord” (Lk. 1:45). Mary exalted the Lord and experienced joy’s wholeness because she believed God would do what He had promised. Is it unusual for people to actually believe God’s promises, and then to step out in trust based upon His promises? It is such a tragedy that even Christians’ trust is so meager – meager trust pirates joy. Mary declared that her soul magnified the Lord. Does your soul magnify the Lord? You cannot add to God’s awesomeness, but you can recognize and appreciate it. Verses 48-55 provide an inventory of God’s work: ♦ He respects and exalts the humble ♦ His name is holy ♦ He is merciful to those who fear Him ♦ He does mighty deeds ♦ He scatters the proud ♦ He conquers rulers ♦ He supplies the poor with good things ♦ He speaks to His people God’s majesty impressively strikes the souls of His exalters. God’s magnifiers marvel at His impeccable character and are staggered by His august awareness of even their thought life. Is it not the responsibility of heaven’s citizenry to exalt the Lord and rejoice in their Savior? “What Child is this who laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? Why lies He in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian fear for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh; come peasant king to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone Him. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.” (William C. Dix, Traditional 16th century English melody, What Child Is This?)