Rev Gav

Promise

Luke 1:54-56

⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel
    and remembered to be merciful.
⁵⁵ For he made this promise to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his children forever.”

⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

Reflect

This is the end of Mary’s Song of praise, otherwise known as the Magnificat. Did you know that just about every line in Mary’s song was taken from the Old Testament prophets? She was restating great phrases made about God in the past, no doubt from her knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures that she had remembered reading or listening to.

Both Mary and Elizabeth had heard the stories that had been passed down from generation to generation — that one day God’s ‘anointed one’, the Christ or Messiah, would come through the nation of Israel. God had promised it, and the prophets had predicted it. God would come to the rescue of his people and good would overcome evil.

Like Mary, when something good happens to us, we want to celebrate, usually with some sort of party. We want to share with the world our excitement and gratitude.

Do

What blessings do you have in your life for which you’re grateful or could burst into song about? Today, say thank-you to God for them.

Pray

Holy God
I thank you from the bottom of my heart
for everything you’ve done for me.
Thank you for keeping your promises
that were, are, and will be, fulfilled through Jesus.
May I always be thankful and grateful
for my relationship with you.
This day and for ever.
Amen.

Think

How do you like to party or celebrate when something amazing or good happens to you? How could you do this to show your gratitude to God?