Psalm of the Day: Psalm 13
Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 8:17-36
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:46-56
These verses contain Mary's famous hymn of praise, in the prospect of becoming the "mother of our Lord." Next to the Lord's Prayer, perhaps, few passages of Scripture are better known than this. No words can express more aptly the praise for redeeming mercy which ought to form part of the public worship of every branch of Christ's Church.
Let us mark the lively thankfulness of Mary. It stands out prominently in all the early part of her hymn. Her "soul magnifies the Lord." Her "spirit rejoices in God." "All generations shall call her blessed." "Great things have been done for her." We can scarcely enter into the full extent of feelings which a holy Jewess would experience on finding herself in Mary's position. But we should try to recollect them as we read her repeated expressions of praise.
We too shall do well to walk in Mary's steps in this matter, and cultivate a thankful spirit. Gratefulness has ever been a mark of God's most distinguished saints in every age. David, in the Old Testament, and Paul, in the New Testament — are remarkable for their thankfulness. We seldom read much of their writings, without finding them blessing and praising God.Let us rise from our beds every morning with a deep conviction that we are debtors — and that every day we have more mercies than we deserve. Let us look around us every week, as we travel through the world, and see whether we have not much to thank God for. If our hearts are in the right place — then we shall never find any difficulty in building an Ebenezer — a monument of thanksgiving. Well would it be if our prayers and supplications were more mingled with thanksgiving. (1 Samuel 7:12, Philippians 4:6.)
Let us mark the firm grasp which Mary had of Bible promises. She ends her hymn of praise by declaring that God has "blessed Israel in remembrance of His mercy," and that He has done "as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever." These words show clearly that she remembered the old promise made to Abraham, "In you shall all nations of the earth be blessed." And it is evident that in the approaching birth of her Son, she regarded this promise as about to be fulfilled.Let us learn from this holy woman's example — to lay firm hold on Bible promises. It is of the deepest importance to our peace to do so. Promises are, in fact, the manna that we should daily eat, and the water that we should daily drink — as we travel through the wilderness of this world. We do not yet see all things put in subjection under us. We do not yet Christ, and Heaven, and the book of life, and the mansions prepared for us. We walk by faith, and this faith leans on promises. But on those promises we may lean confidently. They will bear all the weight we can lay on them. We shall find one day, like Mary, that God keeps His word, and that what He has spoken, so He will always in due time perform.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, thank you for the precious promises of Scripture. Please help me to have a grateful heart.
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
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