Speak His Word Only

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord.” — Luke 1:46 (KJV) Introduction Luke 1:46 begins Mary's song of praise, traditionally called the Magnificat , from the Latin word meaning “magnifies.” After receiving Gabriel's announcement and visiting Elisabeth, Mary responds by directing attention away from herself and toward God. Her circumstances were extraordinary, yet her first recorded words in this song were not centered upon her own importance: “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” Mary teaches us that genuine worship makes God great in our estimation, conversation, and attention . We do not make God greater than He already is; rather, we recognize, proclaim, and celebrate His greatness. Expository Insight “And Mary Said” Mary had received an extraordinary promise from God. She had been told that she would bear Jesus, the Son of the Highest. Yet Mary's response was worship. God's blessings should not merely make us excited about what we have received. They should cause...