Singing God’s Song

November 19

(Luke 1:46-49 NIV) ““And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord {47} and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, {48} for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, {49} for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name.””

(Psalms 18:46 NIV) “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!”

(2 Peter 3:18 NIV) “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Mary’s song is a theological statement. She humbly glorifies, praises, and worships the Lord. She also rejoices in her Savior. Our God is both Lord and Savior -- and Jesus, like His Father, is both Savior and Lord. Many people come to Christ in times of distress, seeking a Savior. Far fewer seek to live as though Jesus is their Lord. Mary sings of the Mighty One who has done great things for her. Our God is sovereign, powerful, and in control. He does not need man’s approval to move in history. We can trust in God’s power, just as Mary did. He will do great things for us too. Mary also declares that God is holy. This means God’s Son is holy. The profane world we live in mocks and lampoons anything holy and pure. Nothing is sacred. The darkness hates the Light. But Christ is holy. Holy is His name. Lord and Savior, Mighty One, Holy One of God -- this is the Jesus we serve. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Blessing in Trials

November 18

(Luke 1:45-49 NIV) ““Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" {46} And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord {47} and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, {48} for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, {49} for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name.””

(Psalms 34:1-5 NIV) “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. {2} My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. {3} Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. {4} I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. {5} Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

Mary was pregnant, without a husband, in a culture that often stoned unmarried pregnant women to death. Yet Elizabeth calls her blessed, and Mary agrees as she glorifies the Lord. Mary praised God in the face of her trial, and sang of God’s great provision for her. How does one find blessing in trials like Mary did? It takes a faith that sees beyond immediate circumstances -- a faith that believes God’s plan is grander than ours. Mary believed God. She trusted that her personal Savior, the Mighty One, was doing something great through her. She looked to the Lord, and instead of being covered with shame, her face was radiant. Her soul rejoiced and boasted in the Lord as she extolled His name. Her situation was not ideal, but God delivered her from all her fears. She was doing God’s will. Join her, beleaguered Christian. Praise God in your trials. God is doing something grand. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Recognizing Jesus

November 17

(Luke 1:39-44 NIV) ““At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, {40} where she entered Zechariah's home 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} In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! {43} But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? {44} As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.””

(John 1:29-37 NIV) ““The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! {30} This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' {31} I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." {32} Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. {33} I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' {34} I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." {35} The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. {36} When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" {37} When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.””

Elizabeth and Mary found themselves in tough situations. One was very old. The other was very young. Both carried babies who would become extraordinary men, but for now, each had their own anxieties to deal with. Yet when Mary went to visit Elizabeth, something miraculous happened. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. That baby would become John the Baptist. John the Baptist, while still in his mother's womb, was the first to recognize Jesus and be filled with joy. Even before He was born, Jesus was bringing joy to those who recognized Him. When John grew up, he was again the first to recognize Jesus. When he saw Christ nearby, he called Him "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." We too can be filled with joy if we recognize Jesus as our Savior -- the One who takes away our sins. Have you? Will you? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Submissive to God’s Plan

November 16

(Luke 1:38 NIV) ““I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said.””

(Psalms 81:11-12 NIV) “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. {12} So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.”

(2 Chronicles 30:8-9 NIV) “Do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; submit to the Lord. Come to the sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. {9} If you return to the Lord, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”

When Mary came to a fork in the road, she chose the faith way. She was submissive to God's plan. Scripture does not say that she understood it completely -- she was simply submissive to God’s plan. That is the challenge for today’s Christian. Submit to God. Do not be like those in Israel’s history who developed stubborn hearts and went their own way. Ignoring God’s will, and refusing to follow His ways, can be toxic to a nation. A stiff-necked people incur stiff penalties from the Lord. Their children suffer because of their stubborn refusal to live under God’s authority. Do not be found among those who refuse to submit to God. If you are among the rebellious, repent and return to the Lord. Christ is full of grace and mercy -- but to enjoy His grace and mercy, we must be among those who say to God, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” --  Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day