Glorifying

​Did you know that God designed a formula that no one has ever replicated? Dr. Marianne Neifert writes, “Human milk is nature's perfect design for helping your baby’s body and brain grow and develop.  No formula can be made exactly the same as human milk because we do not know all the ingredients of human milk.”  Of course we know it is God and not nature Who designed the perfect beverage!  He also created a formula that has hidden benefits.  Nursing causes the body to release a hormone called oxytocin which enables the uterus to return to its normal size after delivery.  Nursing burns calories which help moms shed the extra pounds gained during pregnancy.   Best of all, nursing creates a strong psychological bond which emotionally strengthens both the mother and her infant.   

Meditation
Luke 1:46-49--And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy.
 
God provided the means for a mother to give milk to physically help her baby and to recover from a fairly traumatic exercise called labor.  Aside from His infant formula, He has given us many prescriptions to help us grow.  In Luke 1:46-55 we find Mary’s song, called the Magnificat, or what I call the Glorifying Formula.  Let’s take note of the pattern in Mary’s song and the benefits we obtain when we follow her example.  
 
Glorifying Formula 
1.  Mary glorifies God and recognizes His attributes—a holy name, mercy, power, compassion and faithfulness to His promises—vs. 46, 49-55.
Whenever we give credit to God we take our focus off our problems, promote humility and align our heart with heaven.  Eventually we can look forward to receiving the reward He gives to those who reverence His name (Revelation 11:18).
2.  Mary’s spirit rejoices in God her Savior—vs. 47.
To rejoice means to be delighted!  Just as laughter is medicine to the soul so rejoicing is a powerful blessing to us and to God.  
3.  Mary recognizes what God has done for her—vs. 48, 49.
Gratitude is a reflective process that gives me the context I need to evaluate and appreciate God’s actions on my behalf.  The act of thankful reflecting draws me closer to my Father and puts life in the right perspective.  
​
Are you nourished by the One who loves you?  Join Mary in giving Him the glory and let Him fill your hunger with good things . . . something to think about . . . in reveration! 
 
Inspiration
Resolved: that all men should live for the glory of God. Resolved second: That whether others do or not, I will.—Jonathan Edwards
The real legacy of my life was my biggest failure—that I was an ex-convict. My greatest humiliation—being sent to prison—was the beginning of God’s greatest use of my life; He chose the one experience in which I could not glory for His glory.—Charles Colson in Loving God
Lord, make me see your glory in every place.—Michelangelo
Suppose the mole should cry out, "How I could have honored the Creator had I been allowed to fly!" It would be very foolish, for a mole flying would be a most ridiculous object; while a mole fashioning its tunnels and casting up its castles is viewed with admiring wonder by the naturalist, who perceives its remarkable suitability to its sphere. The fish of the sea might say, "How I could display the wisdom of God if I could sing, or mount a tree, like a bird," but a dolphin in a tree would be a very grotesque affair, and there would be no wisdom of God to admire in trouts singing in the groves. But when the fish cuts the wave with agile fin, all who have observed it say how wonderfully it is adapted to its habitat, how exactly its every bone is fitted for its mode of life. Brother, it is just so with you. If you begin to say, "I cannot glorify God where I am, and as I am," I answer, neither could you anywhere if not where you are. Providence, which arranged your surroundings, appointed them so that, all things being considered, you are in the position in which you can best display the wisdom and grace of God.—Charles Haddon Spurgeon
 
©2004  Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)