Page 15 - November 2022 - Truth & Tidings

liever than to magnify the Lord? While Also, spiritually speaking, we have all been
we as sinners fall short of God’s glory in brought into as close a relationship with the
many ways, at its root, we do not give Lord as Mary His mother had (see Mar 3:35).
God the place He deserves when we sin. Mary also extols the Lord’s mercy. Some
However, once we have been shown a
glimpse of His majesty at salvation, our that are taken up with a social gospel have
objective should be to magnify the Lord made much of verses 51-53, but they miss
from then on. C.H. Spurgeon referred that these thoughts are predicated by verse
to this habit of magnifying the Lord 50 where she says, “His mercy is on them
as a remedy for self-congratulation, a that fear him.” Are there any that are proud
fruitful utterance for holy feelings, a (v51) that don’t first have to humble them-
reason for hopefulness, and a guide in selves to accept God’s mercy? Are there any
our theology. mighty (v52) enough that they don’t need to
Mary then praised God because “he
hath regarded the low estate of his come down from their high place? Did we
handmaiden” (v48). Although she had not all have to come as poor, hungry, lost
great knowledge of the Scriptures and sinners (v53) in order to receive the Lord’s
a lineage from Abraham and David, she mercy and forgiveness? To interpret this in
was not well known or of high regard. a way other than the humbling required for
We see ourselves in this same place at salvation is to miss the point of the Lord’s
the point of our conversion. If we had coming to the earth. He came to fill “the
been proud of our position, lineage or hungry with good things” (v53) in a spiritual
works, we would not have been saved. sense, not just in a physical sense. Certainly,
Often in testimonies we hear of the
person “coming to an end of himself.” He would feed thousands, but as verse 50
Mary had come to that point: she, a states, His mercy is “from generation to gen-
person of low estate, would soon give eration.” We learn that Mary’s perspective is
birth to the Lord Jesus. He would be larger than simply the immediate fulfillment
the Savior of all who trust in Him and of need for food and justice in her day.
a Saviour for Mary’s soul as well (v47). In the closing of this song, Mary speaks
Mary herself could see that all genera- again of His mercy: “As he spake to our
tions would call this handmaiden of low
estate “blessed” (v48). And yet, she fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever”
quickly balanced this elevated thought (v55). This draws our minds back to Genesis
with a heavenly focus: “For he that is 3:15 where we read of the Seed of the woman
mighty hath done to me great things; and the enmity with Satan – “it shall bruise
and holy is his name” (v49). While we thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
can think about our low estate and We see God’s promises continue from Eve
remember the wretches we were prior to Abraham and then to His Seed forever
to salvation and how blessed we have in the One Mary would soon deliver. Truly
become, how much better it is to be
occupied with the “Blesser,” the one she was blessed, and truly we are blessed
who is mighty and holy. Like Mary, all because of the truths contained here. Like
generations will call us blessed as well Mary, all that have received His mercy can say
for what we have received at salvation. today, “My soul doth magnify the Lord.”

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