June 5 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

When the birth of Jesus is announced to Mary, she sings a song of praise. What she sings is not an entirely new composition. Many of the elements found in this song are found in Old Testament psalms which speak of the messianic future. The theme of Mary's song bears strong resemblance to the song of Hannah. Inspired by the Holy Spirit Mary does not boast of her position as mother of our Lord. Her first words are “My soul,” that is, my entire being, “magnifies the Lord.” God receives all the praise. Mary belongs to a people who need mercy and grace and who are to expect everything from God’s work of salvation.

What does it mean to “magnify the Lord?” “To magnify” means “to make great, enlarge, or make room.” But how can we magnify or make the name of the Lord greater than it already is? We understand that God blesses and magnifies us but can we enlarge the name of the Lord?

We give room to the Lord to do His work by believing the promises of His mercy and grace so that He can work His salvation in us and in others. As the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “but our hope is, that as your faith increases, our area of influence may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you.” (2 Corinthians 10:15-16 [ESV])

When Mary magnifies the Lord, her own goals, desires, personal ambitions and wants are thrust to the background. She makes room for the Lord's work in her life by opening her life to Him in humble service. She is truly a servant of the Lord, allowing Him to fulfil His purpose in her life. Even though Mary isn’t special in the eyes of other people, she is used in the fulfilment of God’s counsel. To magnify the Lord requires humility. “Making room for the Lord” entails putting our own person in the background. Those who are proud of heart will only seek to magnify their own name.

Mary’s response teaches us how we must view our own task. We make room for the Lord, and magnify His name by submitting to Him as humble and obedient servants. Therefore, let everyone say, “Magnify the Lord, O my soul, and don’t forget all His benefits.” (Psalm 103)