Praising

 

‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’ (Luke 1: 46-47)

Mary’s song of praise (the Magnificat) is remarkable in many ways.

In this hymn, praise is offered to the Lord for his mercy, and also for his righting of wrongs and restoring of justice. The proud are scattered, the rulers are brought down, the rich are sent away empty, while the humble are lifted up and the hungry are filled.

But what is particular striking is the context of this outpouring of praise in Luke’s narrative. While we might have expected that a young, teenaged, unmarried girl who finds herself pregnant would have been both fearful and tearful (and no doubt she was!) here she is praising God, glorifying him and rejoicing in him because God had blessed her, even though she regarded herself as but a humble servant.

I rather wish I could so readily and freely praise God even in the face of troubles, uncertainties and an unknown and hazardous future. I confess I am more likely to fret, grumble and complain! I suspect that I may not be alone...

Of course, when we sense that God is choosing us, calling and leading us into new ways of service or new opportunities, then there will often be a sense of purpose, the awareness of his blessing, a sense of unworthiness too, which may well (and certainly should!) lead us to thanksgiving and praise. But even when we know that God has called us to go a certain path, it may not be an easy road on which we are set, and in these situations I wonder if it is really always that easy to praise him.

I know I don’t find it easy. But I am convinced that we are encouraged and called to praise God at all times and in all things.

Praising God is not a way of deluding ourselves into pretending that everything is alright or fine or without problems! It is a way of affirming that in spite of the difficulties or dangers or darkness we may sometimes face, there is one who holds all things, who is at work, and whose will and way will finally prevail. One who is with us and who is working out his purposes in, for and through us. It may not always be easy, but there is always cause to praise and a call to praise!

‘My soul magnifies the Lord!’