Oakwood Church Fresh Start Women's Devotional Encouragement for Today Hartland Delafield

The Magnificat
By Dawn Weimar

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”
Luke 1:46b-48a

He understands that we are dust and frail. He understands the circumstances in which we live. He understood that the role He had called Mary to was not an easy one. Mary was to be the mother of the Savior, but who would believe her? Mary was a young girl engaged to be married. People would whisper. Mary knew this would not be easy. Yet she replied to the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).

A humble state indeed. Who was Mary to share this news with? Surely, they’d take her away in a straitjacket to a room with padded walls. Yet, our gracious Lord was mindful of her humble state. He provided a confidante. “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her six month. For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:36-37). Elizabeth was not just a confidant, but someone who understood the power and mercy of God’s miraculous work in her life. But God didn’t stop there. Elizabeth was not just a confidante, for Mary did not have to tell her. Elizabeth already knew.

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! …Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished’” (Luke 1:41-42, 45).

Wow! Elizabeth not only knew, she knew, she understood this momentous world-changing occasion, and her soul rejoiced in God her Savior. Mary had a soulmate to share and rejoice with. She didn’t have to tell the story, she didn’t have to explain. God prepared an older woman for her to visit with and spend time with for three months. What a gift! And Elizabeth was living the fulfillment of her own heart’s desire, her own miracle from the Lord.

Today, meditate on who the Lord is and the marvelous works He has done in your life…in others’ lives…for His people. Let your spirit rejoice in who God is and His role as Savior. There is nothing you did to deserve a Savior. He just is your Savior if you ask Him to be. Humble yourself. Then, rejoice in the Lord for He is mindful of your humble state. Consider and rejoice!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Re-read the last paragraph and ACT on it!

FURTHER READING:
Luke 1:26-56

Dawn is a wife and mother of three daughters, and is active in Oakwood's worship ministries. She's a pediatric nurse, currently working as VP of Business Development in Population Health Improvement.