Let’s Chat: Pleased to Dwell 15

Gabriel had [also] offered [Mary] a human companion – her relative Elizabeth!

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Elizabeth had suffered decades of social grief over her lack of children. Now in a miracle she was pregnant and after six months it was evident to all. If ever there was a woman ready to talk about her pregnancy it was Elizabeth. Instead, Luke describes her total focus on Mary’s faith and Mary’s son. Even John celebrated the presence of the Lord in Mary’s womb! Months of reading notes from Zechariah and checking the scrolls he pointed to meant that Elizabeth was clear – this was the mother of her Lord!

Furthermore, Mary’s fragile faith was affirmed by the elderly saint: Mary was blessed for believing the message of Gabriel (and Elizabeth knew all too well what the alternative looked like!).[1]

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Have you ever prayed “wide-eyed prayers?” I have. I have prayed prayers in a panic, my eye wide open with tears. And I have prayed prayers in amazement, my eyes full of expectant wonder. The young Mary, surely, had swirling thoughts and wide-eyed prayer. And these wide-eyed prayers caused by God’s Word to her, and the baby inside of her, took roots and grew into song.

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

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.” (Luke 1:46-55)

Mary would have doubts throughout her life as she saw Jesus, her son, grow and mature and launch into ministry. She was not perfect, and her life would be far from straightforward. And yet here was God gripping her heart, carrying for her in her not-so-straightforward life, causing her to lean on His greatness and goodness to her and to the generations before her. Mary clearly did not have her head in the clouds – she had her head in God’s Word, and was encouraged by Elizabeth (someone God knew she needed). Mary prayed and praised accordingly.

Let’s Chat

What thoughts of God’s greatness and faithfulness to you, or to the generation before you, cause you to pray wide-eyed prayers?

How can you let Scripture saturate your mind and sprout up in prayer to God?

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[1] Peter Mead, Pleased to Dwell,