It’s Friday and that usually means we do Joy Bombs in the Psalms, where we mine for the gems, the encouraging words, the relatable words that the psalmist wrote that we need to hear that fill our hearts with joy. Today though, we’re going to do something a little bit different and it’s landing us in the books, Luke & Isaiah. You’ll be reminded of how God ‘taps’ you. He made you on purpose for a purpose in this world. You are here for a reason and He’s so not done with you, my friend. He finishes what he starts. That’s what our God does. Let’s soak in His truth together.
Special thanks to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, for bringing us the Bible For Busy People this Christmas season!
Show Notes:
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Transcription:
How about a really quick Latin lesson today on the Bible for Busy People? Hi, I’m Erica, your host, and you know it’s Friday and that usually means we do Joy Bombs In the Psalms, we kind of mine the Psalms, these beautiful poems and songs that you and I find in the middle of our Bibles. We mine them for the gems, the encouraging words, the relatable words that the psalmist wrote that we need to hear that fill our hearts with joy. Whatever you’re going through right now, there is a psalm for you, and that’s why God put them there. He inspired the writers of the Psalms to really share their emotions and God’s truth, and it’s this beautiful blend of both of them. So, that’s what we’re normally doing on Friday, but today we’re going rogue. We’re going to study the Magnificat Mary’s Song of Praise. These are the powerful, beautiful words that Mary spoke after she arrived at her cousin Elizabeth’s house. Elizabeth was pregnant, and I don’t think you and I talked about this yesterday, but she was pregnant with John the Baptist, the man who would grow up to announce the coming of the Messiah to call the people of Israel to repent. He lived in the wilderness. He ate honey and locusts. He was a very unusual, amazing human being and he was loved by God and set apart for this very special purpose. And so, Elizabeth and Mary, their missions were linked and they must have been such a comfort to each other. I picture them sipping tea together, having meals together, and talking about how the God of the universe had tapped them for such incredible missions. And he taps you too. He made you on purpose for a purpose in this world. You are here for a reason and you were on the wake up list today. That means he’s so not done with you, my friend. He finishes what he starts. That’s what our God does. Alright, so when Mary arrived at her cousin’s house, she sang this song of praise. Think about what’s going on in her mind and heart. When Elizabeth said, “When I saw you, the mother of my Lord, the baby in my womb leapt.” That’s the Holy Spirit. And Mary must have been overwhelmed with praise and it came out in these words. Join me now in Luke chapter one, beginning in verse 46. This is the Magnificat Mary’s song of Praise. And by the way, Magnificat is Latin for my soul, magnifies the Lord. Here we go.
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. 52 He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. 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.
Mary is one courageous girl and I would love to know what those conversations were like between her and her cousin Elizabeth in those days. Maybe one day you and I can sit down with them over coffee or tea, whatever your beverage of choice is, and just explore what it must’ve been like for them. It must’ve been very special indeed.
Well, I want to wrap up our week today with a song that I learned when I was 16 years old when I found Jesus. It was on a retreat in the mountains. I didn’t know I was lost. I didn’t know I needed a savior. I knew there was a God and I kind of thought he was made of stained glass, or he was a statue. I didn’t know that he could be my best friend, and that’s what I found out on that retreat. And that weekend we sang a song. Now, I’m not going to sing it for you because I love you, and you don’t want to hear me sing, but I’m going to read you some of the words of this beautiful hymn still all these years later, these words touch my heart and I hope they’ll touch yours.
Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me and I will give you rest. If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown. If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed. If you stand before the power of hell, and death is that your side. Know that I’m with you through it all. Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me and I will give you rest.
Do you need rest this Christmas? Physical rest? Jesus can give that to you. Do you need spiritual or emotional rest? That’s available to you through the Lord Jesus. That hymn was inspired by a few verses in Isaiah chapter 43, and I want to conclude our time together this week by reading these precious words.
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
You have a savior, so you don’t have to be afraid. You are loved.
Thank you for making space to study the Bible with me today. If you feel something stirring in your soul, that’s the God who made you, saying, I love you and I want to know you. It’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus came for you so that your soul would know its worth. He came to bring joy to the world, and to your world. It’s the most beautiful love story ever written, and it’s true. It’s the greatest rescue mission in history, and it was for you. If you want to respond to that stirring in your soul, to know Jesus a little better, please take a moment and check out our show notes, where you’ll find lots of hope and encouragement for your journey.
The Bible for Busy people is brought to you this Christmas season by Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Every day and every night, their team is on a mission to share the good news with our neighbors who are homeless. Like the angels who came on the night, Jesus was born. They make sure that every person who walks through the doors of the Mission knows that there is hope because Jesus came, and how much He loves them. Every person they meet on the street encounters the love of Christ through a friendly smile, a warm blanket, a cup of cocoa, and an invitation to take that next step toward healing from addiction or mental illness. If you want to be part of making sure every soul knows its worth in Seattle this Christmas, volunteer or donate at ugm.org. Thank you and Merry Christmas.
This podcast is one branch of a Christmas tree called Purposely, a network designed to connect you with life-giving conversations, and to inspire you to find and live out God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.
