In preparation for Christmas this year I was studying Luke Chapter 1, which is the most detailed chronicle in the New Testament of the events immediately prior to the birth of Jesus Christ. As I was reading Mary’s song, I was reminded of how God’s plan never looks like WE think it should. In fact—it’s always gloriously better.
God takes the broken, the weak, the rejected—the “small” people like you and me—and He does GREAT works for HIS glory!
God’s choice of a mother for His only Son, was a dirt-poor, unmarried, teen-aged girl. But this young lady had exactly the right qualifications for the critical job of bringing the Savior into this broken world. She humbly acknowledged her own desperate need for God’s salvation. If you read her song, known as “The Magnificat,” the qualities of Mary’s heart are revealed:
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”
Luke 1:46-55 NKJV
It is clear that Mary had a great understanding of her COMPLETE dependence upon God. She lived without focusing on her circumstances; but rather was fixed upon her need for God. She knew God’s promises. She knew His strength. She trusted His wisdom. She knew her own need for a Savior. She gave back to God 100% of every talent He had given her.
Mary cultivated the gift of a thanksgiving heart and her heart blossomed with love.
It was through this thanksgiving heart, that God gave her the gift of being the mother to the Savior of all the world. In fact, it was clear, from her statement, “my spirit has rejoiced in God MY SAVIOR,” that she understood that Jesus was also HER Savior. The humility of Mary’s heart is manifested in her praise to the Lord. She wasn’t like, “Look at me, girlfriends, God picked me because I’m so special.” No, her humble praise was, “He who is mighty has done great things for me!”
Pride prohibits praise of anyone except self; humility produces praise for God.
What a great HOPE humility produces for ALL who have been born again! We are ALL blessed with talents, resources, and time from God! When we give them back to God—He gives us greater opportunities than we could have ever imagined.
Do you want to do great things for God but you believe your circumstances are holding you back?
God levels the playing field for greatness. His Word promises:
“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written,
He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
We EACH have gifts; and when we give our gifts back to God—He allows us to be part of miracles that are FAR greater than we can imagine.
Cultivating the gift of thankfulness allows us to be filled with the miraculous power, wisdom, and love of God.
God gives to us as generously as…He is.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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3 Responses
God will only bless those who will give him praise and glory.
Amen. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for the wonderful devotions God bless
Such a blessing to be a blessing to others! Thank you for your kind words. Merry Christmas to you and your family!