Thursday, March 4, 2010

Devotional -Snapshot 26 - Praise

"Worship is basically adoration and we adore only what delights us." Desiring God John Piper

"My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." Luke 1:46,47

Mary's praise came from her utter happiness and joy in her God. God had become personal to Mary. "The Lord is with you." Luke 1:28 She would bear the Son --the long awaited King, the Messiah. Her heart is near bursting as the words of adoration tumble out before Elizabeth.

An angel came to her and she believed. And in believing God she was blessed --"blessed are you among women." Luke 1:28 Blessed not so that she would be prayed to, worshipped, venerated, given holy days to honor her, but blessed in the sense of happiness. Responding to God in obedience brings pleasure and great joy. She believed that what the Lord had said would be accomplished.

Later we see Jesus honoring all women who would believe and obey. He put His own mother on the exact same level as all believing mothers.

"And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, 'Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!' But He said, 'More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" Luke 11:27, 28

So do I want to be happy? Do I want to have a heart full of praise as Mary? Then listen to the words of Christ and obey.

Spend a few moments meditating on the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55

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