At our Christmas party we looked at Mary’s little Song of Praise to her God found in Luke 1:46-55. She wrote this song after she became pregnant with the Christ child and it is an extremely insightful look into this young lady’s heart. It is a great example of how we should behave in Significant Seasons.
Mary has just become pregnant even though she remains a virgin. This must have been scandalous and we can reasonably assume that most did not believe her. She must have been scorned. This single teenage girl finds herself in a Significant Season with the weight of the world on her shoulders, yet her heart is one of praise and gratitude not fear or panic.
At Dallas Theological Seminary I had the privilege of studying under Ron Allen for a semester. Dr. Allen is a specialist in the Psalms and as a result I developed a deep love for the Psalms. Mary pens her little song in the fashion of the ancient Psalms. This is a Psalm of Praise.
In 1:46-47, Mary outlines WHAT she does in this Significant Season. Her soul exalts God and her spirit rejoices in Him. This simply means that in her inner being she rejoices in God. She praises Him for his good work and is deeply satisfied in who He is. Her joy is simply God. She doesn’t just rejoice in His gifts, but finds her joy in Him. She loves the Gift-giver more than the gifts.
The challenge of this first section is to make God your greatest joy in life. Do you love yourself, or your family, or your little moments of pleasure, or your work more than God? Is there something that you find more pleasure in than God? Is the deepest longing of your heart simply for God Himself?
Mary provides a great example for us. Like Mary, we are to find our greatest joy and pleasure in God Himself. We are to enjoy God and be satisfied in Him. If this is not true of your heart then simply ask God to make it true. Practice the spiritual disciples, which are a tool to foster our relationship with Him. Confess to Him anything that reigns on the throne of your heart above God. Rejoice in Him!
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