Glorify the Lord with Me

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

Luke 1:46

These are the beginning words of Mary’s praise to God for the child that would be born. She, a virgin, would conceive of the Holy Spirit and bear the Son of God—news so unexpected, so impossible, so humbling, and yet, so magnificent that Mary could not contain her praise.

Of her Lord she proclaims, …for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed… (Luke 1:48).

God inhabits the humble. The Lord Jesus, who humbled Himself by laying aside His glory and becoming man, inhabits those who humbly acknowledge Him as the only means of salvation. Like Mary, all who believe and receive Jesus as Savior are blessed eternally.

Mary continues, …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 1:49-50). 

Mary was set apart from all. She had the blessed privilege of physically bearing the Son of God. Believer, you have the blessed privilege of spiritually bearing the Son of God. Through His mercy, He has come to live within you, to transform you, to empower you, to guide you, to teach you, to work through you, and to secure you through all eternity. The Mighty One has done great things!

Has the truth of God’s indwelling Spirit become commonplace? Shouldn’t we believers be so amazed, so humbled, so grateful that the Mighty God has chosen us that we break forth in praise as Mary did? As we celebrate His birth, let us give to Jesus the praise He is due.

Jesus, my soul glorifies you and my spirit rejoices in you, my Savior. You have done great things! You, the Mighty One, came to live among us that you might come to live within us and make us holy like you. Great is your mercy! Great is your love! I humbly bow in wholehearted praise of you. 

Jan Burkhart