MARY’S SONG – Part 2 of 2

“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.”  (Luke 1:48b–50 NIV)

Second, Mary focused on the holiness of God by simply putting breath to four little words: “holy is His name” (v. 49b). For Mary to trust in an uncertain future, she had to look back at the certainty of a holy God. As Mary sang of the holiness of God, her song resonated with David’s song found in Psalm 111:9 that reads: “He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever -- holy and awesome is His name.” Mary was looking back and remembering the unchanging nature of God. The God who was faithful and holy then, is still faithful and holy now.

Last, she sang of the mercy of God by declaring: “His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation” (v. 50). Again, perhaps Mary took a cue from the Psalms and made it her own. The psalmist David wrote:

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
      slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
      nor will He harbor His anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
      or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
      so great is His love for those who fear Him;
as far as the east is from the west,
      so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
      so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him…” (103:8–13)

Whatever stressors you have in your life today, take some notes from Mary. Remind those stressors about the mightiness of God, the holiness of God, and the mercy of God. Then look forward to what God has in store. 

-- Excerpted from “Wake-Up Call” with Mark Sorensen 

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