God's Greatness Reflected in Our Lives
And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.’ (Luke 1:46)
Luke 1:46-56; I Sam. 2:1-10; I Chron. 29:11; Matt. 5:16; John 15:8; I Cor. 6:20; II Cor. 2:18
What Is God Saying?
Mary’s prayer is called ‘The Magnificat.’ It is a daily vesper hymn in churches of the Roman tradition and is often sung in the Evemng Prayers of the Church of England. Magnificat was the first word in Mary’s song when she and Elizabeth knew they were both pregnant. They both had a reason to rejoice. Both were comforted and encouraged by Gabriel, ‘who, standing in the presence of God, was sent to bring them this good news.’ Elizabeth, until now barren, would have a child who would be ‘great before the Lord’ (Lk. 1:15). Mary would give birth to ‘the Son of the Most High.’
How Does This Apply To Us?
The Magnificat is saturated with phrases and thoughts from the Old Testament. ‘Magnificat animus mea dominum’ is translated as ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord.’ Typically, magnifying means making something small appear larger than it is. The older use and understanding of the word meant to see something valuable for what it is. It acknowledges with awe and wonder the greatness of what is said to be great. It is what we mean when we sing the modern ‘Magnificat’ called ‘How Great Thou Art,’ in which we declare the greatness of God in nature and above nature, in time and eternity, in mercy and salvation, in hope and encouragement.
Pray With Me
How Great Thou Art! Lord, it is more than a song we love to sing. It is a fact we wish to acknowledge. It is a foundation upon which we may build with confidence. It is a shining reality. It is the light that leads through the darkness. It is the magnificence of Heaven when all the shadows are behind us. With Mary, I would ‘Magnify the Lord,’ meaning that You are worthy of the highest praise. There is nothing more awesome than Your power. There is nothing more wonderful than Your love. There is nothing more important than Your blessing. This is not exaggerated. It is not making something appear to be greater than it is. It is a simple fact. It is giving to You the glory that is due unto Your name. I magnify You not to make You greater but to keep myself aware of ‘How Great Thou Art!’
With Mary, who ‘rejoiced in God her Savi0r,’ I too rejoice, redeemed from sin, relieved of burdens, free from anxiety and fears, awakened to a life that has meaning, and moving to the future on a path blazed by a Savi0r who knows and cares. I rejoice in the Lord, who has promised to be with me to the end. I magnify the Lord who waits at the end when, having fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, I will receive the crown of righteousness from Him.
In the name of the Lord, who is both the righteous judge and the loving Savi0r. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Mary’s song of praise begins, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord.’ That is where my prayer begins. If we are not magnifying and praising the Lord in prayer, it is doubtful that we praise Him in our lives. It is crucial that we magnify the Lord with our souls before we magnify or show Him in our lives. Prayer is the first step in a walk that pleases God and in a life that testifies to His greatness.
