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 glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name.”

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