#DailyReading You Will Be Blessed When You Believe What The Angel Said
December 31st
Read Luke 1:39–56
Luk 1:45-55 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (46) And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, (47) and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (48) for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; (49) for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (50) And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. (51) He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; (52) he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; (53) he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. (54) He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, (55) as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Note the words to Mary from Elizabeth, “blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Indeed not only is Mary blessed as she believed what was spoken to her but we too are blessed when we believe the Word of God spoken to us and that it too will be fulfilled. Zechariah was not as blessed because he did not believe and was struck with dumbness. Mary believed and was blessed. Later he too was blessed as he confessed the name of the child spoken to him by the angel.
Believing God’s promises is a big thing. In fact, it is the only thing. True, faithful works will proceed from such believing, but they are merely the symptoms of faith in God’s promises. Peter tells us, 2Pe 1:4… “he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…” What a great and wonderful thing that is to be made partakers of the divine nature through the promises of God. Our God’s biggest thing is that we trust Him.
Now let us look at Mary’s song and let us make it our song too. She rejoices in God her Savior. Mary needs a Savior and you need one too. Jesus is that promised Savior. He has saved us from sin, death and the power of the devil. Mary indeed is blessed, most blessed amongst all women for she bore God in her womb and as such she should have a special place in every Christian’s heart. She promises mercy to those who fear the Lord. To fear the Lord is to recognize, hate and confess one’s sins, to repent of them and to trust in the Lord’s forgiveness. Jesus still to this day scatters the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. We see this particularly during Christmas and Easter when all the skeptics come out of the woodwork trying to tear Him down but they remain confounded. Our Lord Jesus exalts the humble and fills them with the riches of his grace and bestows upon them his very righteousness before God. Yet those who are rich in themselves and have their own righteousness shall be cast down and cast out for they need no Savior who is the only way. Mary recognizes and confesses God fulfills His promises and has done so. We too should confess this and have our faith strengthened with the knowledge he will fulfill all his other promises also.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant us your Holy Spirit that we may with the blessed Virgin Mary sing forth your praises, confess our humble estate and be lifted by your glorious promises to your throne above. Amen.