◄ What Does Luke 1:46 Mean? ►

During her visit to her cousin, Elisabeth, the young Mary, who must have reflected frequently on the amazing mysteries which were told to her by the angel Gabriel, exploded into an ecstatic song of rejoicing praise and exultant exhilaration, as she sang her psalm of celebration - and marvelled at the wonderful work of God - her Saviour and her Lord.

Mary was one of a faithful remnant of Israel, who for 400 silent years had been awaiting the arrival of their prophesied Saviour. Her whole being - spirit, soul, and body, participated in this outburst of praise and worship. She lifted up her voice as she sang out her song of joy. Her inner soul glorified the Lord God almighty for choosing her to be the vessel to bring the Son of God into the world, and her spirit rejoiced with exceeding great joy, "My soul exalts the Lord."

Mary was highly privileged and her explosion of joy reflected a developing understanding of the wonderful truth with which she had been entrusted. Her song revealed the amazing responsibility of being chosen by the God of her forefathers, to bring forth the Messiah of Israel - Whom she humbly acknowledged as GOD, my Saviour.

The Son she would one day bring into the world would become the Man who would redeem mankind from the slave-market of sin. The baby she was carrying in her womb, was to be her own Saviour - He would redeem her soul too. No wonder Mary said, "my soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour."

The Lord looked with favour on the humble condition of His gentle hand-maiden, for Mary was a girl who loved the Lord her God and knew the Holy Scriptures. Her song of rejoicing is reminiscent of the song that Hannah sang when God opened her womb, and she gave birth to Samuel her firstborn son. Like Mary, Hannah also rejoiced in God her Saviour, as she highly exulted the Lord in her own song of joyful thanksgiving and praise.

Mary was only three months pregnant when she went to visit her cousin, Elisabeth, in Judea. It could not have been an easy time for this young woman. Mary had to go through the pain of Joseph's initial distress, when he thought she had been unfaithful to him. She had to face the reality that her fiance initially planned to send her away. She had to endure the disapproving looks and condemnatory snubs from the local townsfolk who accused her of infidelity. Nevertheless, her soul exalted the Lord her God.

Like Mary, we too have been given the amazing truth of God's plan of salvation, and like Mary, we are all sinners in need of a Saviour. Like Mary, there is an unfolding of our understanding as we study the Word of God and pay heed to all that has been revealed to us through the apostles and prophets of old, and like Mary, we will go on learning more and more of the amazing grace of God that has been poured out upon all who have trusted in Christ as Saviour.

The rejoicing of our soul, is that part of man that contains our individuality. It is the seat of our very being that touches the material elements of our humanity, while the joyful praise in our spirit is that deepest element within our being that touches God, as we walk in spirit and truth - and reaches out from Him to others, as we witness of the wonderful truth of the gospel of Christ, as our hearts also exalt in, "God MY Saviour."

Loving Father, I stand in awe of Your amazing grace and wonderful goodness. And the more I come to understand Your indescribable love towards me, the more my soul and spirit unite in glorifying Your holy name and worshipping You, my Saviour and Lord. Thank You that you gave Your eternal Son to be born as Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, and Saviour of the world. I pray, in Jesus' name, that I may be used to share the wonders of Your saving grace to others, AMEN.