How are you processing your season of waiting? Do you silently ruminate, which then quickly turns into worry? Do you blast some worship music to lift your spirit? Do you call a friend and verbally process your experience? Do you turn to unhealthy habits to dull the pain? We all process our seasons of waiting differently.
As the four hundred years of silence break, Mary’s song becomes the first notes that ring through the cracks in that silence. Her words carry a hopeful message mimicking the word of praise that flowed from Hannah’s heart in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.
Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 anticipates a King.
Mary’s song celebrates that the King has come.
This young girl, whose world has been turned upside down, processes through praise.
Remember: Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” - Luke 1:46-55
Elizabeth affirms the Good News Gabriel brought to Mary and Mary responds by magnifying the Lord in soul and spirit because of his favor on her life. She is blessed, not because of anything she’s done, but because he who is mighty has done great things for HER. She personalizes this song first as she sees herself as a recipient of his grace, then moves out to how his mercy extends from generation to generation for those who fear him. Her joy is wrapped up in our joy at the coming King. In the remainder of her song she lists each way God shows his mercy:
* He performs mighty deeds with his strength
* He scatters the proud in the thoughts of their hearts
* He brings the mighty low
* He exalts the humble
* He fills the hungry with good things
* He sends the rich away, empty
* He HAS HELPED his servant Israel
* He remembers his mercy
Which one of these pronouncements of the mercy of God that comes to us because of Jesus, resonates with you?
Reflect
Sometimes the word of praise comes after the breakthrough and sometimes it’s part of the breakthrough. The Christian faith cherishes worship through song. It builds our faith and encourages our hearts in seasons of waiting. We rehearse the gospel in song, preaching to ourselves and each other in our churches on Sunday morning and in our cars on Monday morning.
We sing with Mary that he who is mighty has done great things for US in sending his Son. For the believer, the ones, who along with Mary believe the message of salvation — your suffering, your season of waiting, the pain you are experiencing — is the closest you will come to hell on this side of eternity.
“our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:18
But for the unbeliever, the ones who discount and disregard the message of salvation as weak and worthless — their suffering, their pain, their season of waiting — is the closest they will come to heaven on this side of eternity.
“For Christians this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven.” — Randy Alcorn
Which one are you? Do you believe the message that Jesus came to earth as a baby, to die the death we deserved because of our sin against God and to raise up from death to give us new life and an eternity in heaven where pain and suffering and waiting will be over forever? Or do you see the Good News as fake news? Just a crutch for the weak? Where you stand will determine how you see and process seasons of silence and suffering.
Respond
Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:
Breathe In:
Jesus, you are the King of my heart
Breathe Out:
You do great things for me.
The Journey
This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.
