Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
This is Mary—the mother of Jesus—and it's a famous song she sings after she learns that she's going to give birth to the Messiah. We call it the Magnificat. It's really interesting to pay attention to what she's thinking about and what she is singing here.
Where Mary's Joy Comes From
Notice where her joy is coming from. She's not saying, "I will rejoice in my great reputation." She's not rejoicing in her circumstances—in fact, her circumstances were about to become very difficult. She's not saying, "How I rejoice in my bright future." No, she says, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Mary recognizes that her greatest reason for joy wasn't from the life around her, but from her relationship with the God who saves her. In fact, as a mother-to-be, it's not even that her joy was merely joy in a child—it was joy in a child who was going to save her from her sin.
A Leaping, Overflowing Joy
So, she rejoices. This word for "rejoices" in the original language actually implies a leaping or a jumping. This is not a quiet, reserved happiness—this is an obvious, overflowing joy. That's what this is when Mary rejoices. Why is she leaping for joy? The answer is clear. She knows that she was lost, and she knows that God is her Savior, that God is her great rescuer.
If you are a Christian today, you have the very same reason Mary did to leap for joy. Think about it—the God of the universe has become your Savior. He has pulled you out of the pit. John Piper wrote: "Christian joy is not a feeling we work up. It is the overflow of a heart that has seen the greatness of God's salvation." When you realize what you have been saved from, and who you've been saved by, your spirit cannot help but rejoice.
Stop Looking at Your Problems, Start Looking at Your Savior
I invite you today—take a moment to stop looking at your problems and start looking at your Savior. Because as Mary said in Luke chapter 1, verse 47: "How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
