Anchor My Faith

Title: Mercy Is for the Humble (Luke 1:50-52)

Mary continues with her song of praise: “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50 ESV). The song, or hymn, moves from Mary to what her son’s birth will mean for believers; those who fear him. To fear him implies a reverent, humble obedience that desires or seeks to please God.

From “generation to generation” communicates the idea of from one age to another. God’s mercy continues to be passed on to those who respond to him. In particular, it means that God’s mercy will descend on to the children and then on to the children’s children of those who fear him and respond in humble obedience. This is clearly seen in Exodus 20:5 (NLT): “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. What a blessing it is to be the child of parents who walk closely with the Lord, to learn from them. On the other hand, there is the accumulation of guilt for those not following in their footsteps.

Mary continues: “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts” (Luke 1:51 ESV). The finger, the hand, and the arm of God are expressions of strength. For example: “Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said” (Exodus 8:19 ESV); “It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order” (Isaiah 48:13 NLT); “Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment” (Exodus 6:6 ESV).

Israel faced many battles in her days when the proud warriors from countries like Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt came up against her, but God stepped in and scattered those whose proud thoughts imagine conquest. “[God] has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Luke 1:52 ESV). An illustration of these proud thoughts and mighty power is found in Isaiah 14:12 – 14 (ESV): “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” King Saul was proud and allowed power to cloud his judgment and as a result he was overcome in battle and David was taken from the sheepfold and placed on the throne in his place. Very often God will raise up a person from humble places in life and use them to accomplish great things. Mary is an example here before us.

Prayer

Father, as I prepare this lesson, I see myself in it. When I was a college student I was so proud and arrogant and desired to draw attention to my accomplishments, but as you, Father, have worked in my life I have come to realize that life is not about what I accomplish, but how much like Jesus I become. Even today I still struggle with this. For example, this blog, which has two parts to it. There is the container, the software I use to organize everything. I can focus on making the blog attractive and an efficient storage of Bible lessons and grow in pride over it. The second part is the content of the blog, the Bible studies. That is what is important. It is easy to be drawn to the container and take pride of what is being accomplished, but more difficult to be humble and write better lessons and by faith trust that God is using them to touch lives. Father, I confess that the greatest joy is found in spending time with the Lord as I try to write good lessons.