Two humble, unknown women 2000 years ago had a meeting which brought about for us one of the great biblical songs of praise and faith. The meeting was between Mary, the mother of Jesus and her cousin Elizabeth. The song is called “Mary’s Magnificat”, from the Latin form of the first word of the song: “magnifies”. Listen to Mary’s song:

46 “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

Why is Mary so full of faith and praise and joy? Let me give you three reasons in Mary’s song of praise. 

1) Mary’s magnificent Savior has regard for the humble

For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. (verse 48)

Mary recognizes that she is a nobody. She’s a nobody and yet the God of the universe has bestowed such favor on her. Mary is stunned that the God of might, El Shaddai (God almighty) has done great things for her. What kind of God has such regard for the humble. Only a God who is himself humble. And so Mary magnifies him! 

But there is another reason for Mary’s exaltation of her God and Savior:

2) Mary’s Magnificent Savior is strong to establish his kingdom

He has shown strength with his arm (verse 51)

How could this young, humble, obscure girl Mary have such confidence in the face of the powers that be? Because God’s arm is strong. He doesn’t wonder, “How are you going to do it Lord!” Mary in confident faith declares that God’s arm is not withered. His arm is not weak! He scatters the proud (like someone who flings his arm across a table and knocks down a house of cards). That is what God does with those who oppose him. He brings down the mighty from their throne and exalts the humble. Nobody can stand in his way. And so Mary magnifies her God and Savior. 

But there is one more reason for Mary’s exalting song:

3) Mary’s Magnificent Savior is a promise keeper

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever… (verse 54)

Mary sees this great act of God as his remembrance of mercy. As the continuation of his promise to Abraham and Abraham’s offspring. The NT teaches us that Abraham’s offspring through whom all the nations would be blessed is Christ. The baby Mary was carrying was the promised seed of Abraham; the One through Whom all the nations would be blessed. God is not a man that he should lie or change his mind. He doesn’t forget his promises. He is not incapable of keeping them. He is the ultimate promise keeper! And in Christ all God’s promises find their “yes”, their ultimate fulfillment.

So are you in Christ? Is Mary’s magnificent Savior, yours as well? Then magnify him. Rejoice in Him! Let the words of Mary be yours: “My soul magnifies the Lord; and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name”