Easter Devotion (Ash Wednesday) - Mary's Song

And Mary said:

“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.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is His name.

Luke 1:46-49 

Imagine for a moment that you are Mary. You're a teenager, poor, Jewish, and female, all reasons that you would be marginalized and disrespected in an ancient, occupied land. Added to all that, you are unmarried and pregnant. How many people would ever come to believe your incredibly implausible explanation that you were actually still a virgin and that you were carrying the Son of God by the Holy Spirit? How many people would whisper behind your back for the rest of your life?

Yet read Mary's remarkable prayer of praise. Even though God had placed Mary in an extremely difficult situation, she praised God with every fiber of her being. She completely trusted in God's care for her. Not only would she survive this difficulty, but she would be blessed and honored for her obedience. In the midst of a puzzling and shameful situation, she rejoiced with all her heart. 

Mary was told the reason that God had chosen her and caused her pregnancy, and she obediently agreed. The angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33

We don't always know the reasons why God places us in difficult situations. But like Mary, we can trust that God will honor us for our obedience. We have a reason to sing praises to God, even in our darkest times. 

Prayer: Lord, teach me to trust You enough to always sing Your praises! In the difficult times, show me how to praise you and offer to you a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Keep my eyes focused on You, on Your promises, on Your presence. I love you and commit my life, my dreams, my future, into Your loving care. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

** This devotion was taken from The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 by Sue Mink