At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!'

-Luke 1:39-45

And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit 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 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, just as he promised our ancestors.'

-Luke 1:46-55

Mary’s life, as part of the Anawim community, has been difficult and dark from the start. Just when her life is beginning to improve, the angel appears to Mary and gives her a task that is both fulfilling and dangerous.

And coming in, he said to her, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.' But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

-Luke 1:28-29

Mary’s response in song teaches us how to deal with the dark threads of our lives.

You can magnify fear, or you can magnify the Lord.

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

-Luke 1:46-47

To magnify something means to give it an extraordinarily large place in your life.

Therefore we stand in no condemnation.

-Romans 8:1

All our difficulties are only platforms for the manifestation of his grace, power, and love.

-Hudson Taylor

For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

-Luke 1:49

1. Sing the song that magnifies God

2. Sing the song that magnifies the work of God

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 has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

-Luke 1:50-53

'Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.' (1 Peter 4:12) The multitude of many people make noise like the noise of the seas. We have heard the rushing of the nations. Yea, we have heard the sea and the waves thereof roaring ... Kingdoms shake. Nations shake. Yet let us not be dismayed, for the Lord will carry on his own good work and glorious designs in the midst of these troubles. For all these affairs are ordered and managed by the hand of him that is our Mediator.

-Increase Mather

He has brought down rulers from their thrones.

-Luke 1:52

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

-Matthew 10:26-30

He has performed mighty deeds

He has brought down rulers

He has filled the hungry

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

-Luke 1:52

3. Sing the song of a revolutionary Life

And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'

-Luke 1:38

And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord.'

-Luke 1:46

While you are using God for your purposes, He is molding and shaping you for His.

A fallen world produces fallen creatures responding to fallen events.

I was afraid of his claws, I can tell you, but I was pretty nearly desperate now, so I just lay flat on my back and let him do it. The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt ... and [he] threw me into the water ... and I'd turned into a boy again.

-C.S. Lewis

I know not the way God leads me, but well do I know my Guide.

-Martin Luther

Looking back over the course of your life, paying close attention to the darkest moments, for what has God been preparing you?

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Are you willing to say what Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Do to me as you have said (planned from the foundations of the world).”

Make A Decision