MY SPIRIT REJOICES IN GOD

Passage: Luke 1:39-56

Key verse: 46-47

NIV

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,(A) 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(B) 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,(C) and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(D) should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song(E)

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord(F)
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(G)
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.(H)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,(I)
49     for the Mighty One has done great things(J) for me—
    holy is his name.(K)
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.(L)
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(M)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.(N)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.(O)
53 He has filled the hungry with good things(P)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful(Q)
55 to Abraham and his descendants(R) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into (A)the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth (B)was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, (C)“Blessed are you among women, and (D)blessed is (E)the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of (F)my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And (G)blessed is she who believed that there would be[a] a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,

(H)“My (I)soul (J)magnifies the Lord,
47     (K)and my (L)spirit rejoices in (M)God my Savior,
48 for (N)he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations (O)will call me blessed;
49 for (P)he who is mighty (Q)has done great things for me,
    and (R)holy is his name.
50 And (S)his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 (T)He has shown strength with his arm;
    (U)he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 (V)he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    (W)and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled (X)the hungry with good things,
    and the rich (Y)he has sent away empty.
54 He has (Z)helped (AA)his servant Israel,
    (AB)in remembrance of his mercy,
55 (AC)as he spoke to our fathers,
    (AD)to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 1:45 Or believed, for there will be
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Mary decided to visit her relative Elizabeth. Mary probably had many doubts and worries in her mind as she was on her way. Mary had simply obeyed God’s will for her. But at the same time, she must have felt that there was no one on earth who would empathize with her. She could not guess what Elizabeth’s reaction would be for her pregnancy.

But as she reached the door, Elizabeth loudly blessed Mary and said, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promise to her!” Mary was much encouraged and started to sing a hymn of joy. She sang, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” She saw God who was helping her through Elizabeth’s encouragement. Mary praised God for reassurance and for his work.

As we follow God’s leading in life, we sometimes face difficulties and doubts may arise. But God is there each step of the way, giving us reassurance. Mary was greatly encouraged by Elizabeth, and she sang a song of joy and praise.

May God continue to bless our journey of following him and may we sing a song of praise and joy to him.

Prayer: Lord, help us to praise you and sing a song to you since you show us your love each step of our life.

One Word: My soul rejoices in God my Savior.