Stress Test Devotional May 18
May 18, 2024
LUKE 1:38 | Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
LUKE 1:46-56 | And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 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 powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
God will surprise us, as he did Mary. Will we share her ability to be surprised, and to respond with obedience? Hear Mary’s famous words, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.” These words became actions. She trusted the new truth about Elizabeth and traveled to receive her friendship and support, allowing God to reorder her relationships in the light of his plan. Further, Mary moved from shock and surprise to deliberate centeredness. Her song, in verses 46-55, is a way of putting God’s surprising truth about her coming child at the very center of her thinking. She reinterprets her life in terms of God’s favor and future acclaim. She ruminates on the social significance of God’s action, insisting that not only her life but everyone’s life and status will be determined by this baby. She connects her role to God’s ancient purposes, seeing it in terms of the promise to Abraham.
Are you accepting and obedient?
Do you order your relationships according to your faith.
Do you put God’s son at the center of all things?
