In The Word
Read: Luke 1:39-56
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”
The Magnificat
46 And Mary said:
“My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
53 “He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54 “He has given help to Israel His servant,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Mary left home to visit her Aunt Elizabeth, and they rejoiced together over God’s blessings. In their declarations about God, Mary made a significant statement, “He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent away the rich empty-handed” (Luke 1:53).
Yahshua contrasted the poor and hungry to the rich. About the poor He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The poor realize they have very little and need help. When we admit that we can do nothing good apart from God and that we are spiritually bankrupt without God, then it opens our lives to God. Concerning the hungry He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). The hungry are those who are desperate and long for something to fill them. When we desperately long for God to fill us instead of sinful or worldly pleasures, then God will abundantly satisfy us. Contrast these descriptions with Yahshua’s words about the rich, “It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23). The rich are those who feel they have everything they need and can handle any issue themselves. This is called pride; it leads God to oppose us instead of help us.
If you find yourself feeling confident in yourself and not needing God, cast down that prideful attitude and cry out to God in humility that you can do nothing without Him.