God’s Word Never Fails
Mary's song in Luke 1 is a song of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating God's mercy, power, and faithfulness, as well as His care for the humble and hungry while humbling the proud and rich. It also emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and Abraham's descendants.
- Mary's Soul Glorifies the Lord (Verse 46): Mary begins by expressing her profound joy and praise for God.
- Her Spirit Rejoices in God (Verse 47): Mary's spirit is filled with happiness and gratitude toward God, who is her Savior.
- God's Mindfulness of Mary's Humility (Verse 48): Mary acknowledges that God has noticed her lowly and humble state.
- Mary Will Be Called Blessed (Verse 48): Mary anticipates that future generations will honor her as blessed because of what God is doing through her.
- God's Great Deeds and Holiness (Verse 49): Mary recognizes that God, the Mighty One, has done great things for her, and she praises the holiness of His name.
- God's Mercy for Those Who Fear Him (Verse 50): Mary acknowledges that God's mercy extends to those who fear Him, and this mercy endures from generation to generation.
- God's Mighty Deeds (Verses 51-52): Mary highlights God's powerful acts, mentioning how He scatters the proud in their inmost thoughts and brings down rulers from their thrones while lifting up the humble.
- God's Provision for the Hungry (Verse 53): Mary notes that God fills the hungry with good things, indicating His care for the less fortunate.
- God's Faithfulness to Israel (Verses 54-55): Mary recognizes God's faithfulness in helping His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as He promised their ancestors.
LUKE 1:26-56
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
39 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. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
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. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.