He Has Done Great Things for Me
Luke 1:49-55: "For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
The Lord is faithful and will always fulfill his covenantal promises. This fourth Sunday in Advent, we look back to the Lord's choice of David as king of Israel. Even before the Israelites came into the promised land, the Lord set stipulations for a king (See Deuteronomy 17). The king was to be chosen by God, one from among the Israelites, and one who would know the law and abide by the law of the Lord. When the nation of Israel demanded a king, Samuel pleaded with them to reconsider and to recognize that the Lord was Israel's king. Sadly, the Israelites resisted the call to be set apart from the nations and chose to be like the nations instead. They wanted a king like all the other nations did. So, God gave them what they desired. King Saul was handsome, strong, and accomplished. His kingship had a good start and a tragic end. Due to Saul's disobedience, the Lord's Spirit was taken from Saul, and the prophet Samuel was to anoint a new king. David was brought in from the fields. He was the last pick of his father and the least likely to be anointed king of his brothers. But God does not judge as man judges.
David was God's choice for the king of Israel. The Lord raised up the humble while he brought down one who had been mighty. The Lord took him from caring for the sheep and prepared David for caring for the nation of Israel. The Lord delighted in his choice of David and called him a "man after God's own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14). Is there any greater compliment? It is with David that God made the covenant. The Lord would establish his kingdom through one of David's descendants; the Davidic line would reign forever.
Sure enough, Mary is from that Davidic line. Jesus is not only Son of God but also Son of David. The Lord has kept his promises to an unfaithful nation. He has done great things in establishing the nation of Israel through his calling and promises to Abraham up to Mary and the birth of the promised Messiah. The Lord would continue to work on behalf of his people. Unlike any other gods, Israel's God was omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. The Lord could humble a people and exalt a people. It was his choice, his way, and his timing.
In Mary's Magnificat, she delighted in God's mercy and faithfulness to the nation of Israel. She recognized the fragility of the nation of Israel as she acknowledged the lack of faithfulness of her people. Where Israel had been fickle and unfaithful, God had been steadfast and faithful to his covenants to Israel. The birth of their promised Messiah was the long-awaited fulfillment.
Reflection:
How have you experienced God's mercy and faithfulness to you? Can you emulate Mary and express your gratitude and awe of this faithful God?
The Lord is faithful and will always fulfill his covenantal promises. This fourth Sunday in Advent, we look back to the Lord's choice of David as king of Israel. Even before the Israelites came into the promised land, the Lord set stipulations for a king (See Deuteronomy 17). The king was to be chosen by God, one from among the Israelites, and one who would know the law and abide by the law of the Lord. When the nation of Israel demanded a king, Samuel pleaded with them to reconsider and to recognize that the Lord was Israel's king. Sadly, the Israelites resisted the call to be set apart from the nations and chose to be like the nations instead. They wanted a king like all the other nations did. So, God gave them what they desired. King Saul was handsome, strong, and accomplished. His kingship had a good start and a tragic end. Due to Saul's disobedience, the Lord's Spirit was taken from Saul, and the prophet Samuel was to anoint a new king. David was brought in from the fields. He was the last pick of his father and the least likely to be anointed king of his brothers. But God does not judge as man judges.
David was God's choice for the king of Israel. The Lord raised up the humble while he brought down one who had been mighty. The Lord took him from caring for the sheep and prepared David for caring for the nation of Israel. The Lord delighted in his choice of David and called him a "man after God's own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14). Is there any greater compliment? It is with David that God made the covenant. The Lord would establish his kingdom through one of David's descendants; the Davidic line would reign forever.
Sure enough, Mary is from that Davidic line. Jesus is not only Son of God but also Son of David. The Lord has kept his promises to an unfaithful nation. He has done great things in establishing the nation of Israel through his calling and promises to Abraham up to Mary and the birth of the promised Messiah. The Lord would continue to work on behalf of his people. Unlike any other gods, Israel's God was omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. The Lord could humble a people and exalt a people. It was his choice, his way, and his timing.
In Mary's Magnificat, she delighted in God's mercy and faithfulness to the nation of Israel. She recognized the fragility of the nation of Israel as she acknowledged the lack of faithfulness of her people. Where Israel had been fickle and unfaithful, God had been steadfast and faithful to his covenants to Israel. The birth of their promised Messiah was the long-awaited fulfillment.
Reflection:
How have you experienced God's mercy and faithfulness to you? Can you emulate Mary and express your gratitude and awe of this faithful God?
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