And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. – Luke 1:50
Today’s verse is taken from Mary’s Song of Praise after having shared with Elizabeth that she was pregnant. Mary’s song is also known as the Magnificat. Theologian John MacArthur says, “Mary’s praise went beyond herself to embrace all that God would do for others in the future. Once again demonstrating her familiarity with the Old Testament, she quoted Psalm 103:17.”
Seminary professor and author Dr. D. Edmond Hiebert described mercy as “the self-moved, spontaneous lovingkindness of God which causes Him to deal in compassion and tender affection with the miserable and disinterested.” In the Psalm that Mary quoted, mercy is available to those who hold a healthy awe of the Lord.
Charles Bridges was a Puritan preacher and teacher known for his commentaries on the Psalms and Proverbs, and Charles Spurgeon held his expository commentaries in high regard. Bridges wrote that the fear of God “is that affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father’s law. His wrath is so bitter, and His love so sweet; that hence springs an earnest desire to please Him, and—because of the danger of coming short from his own weakness and temptations—a holy watchfulness and fear, ‘that he might not sin against Him.’”
In his book The Applause of Heaven, Max Lucado writes, “Only a great God does for his children what they can’t do for themselves. God’s delight is received upon surrender, not awarded upon conquest.” In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon has a lot to say about fearing the lord, describing it as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10).
Dr. R. C. Sproul states, “Even though we are to come before Him boldly and we can call Him Father, He is not our chum, He is not our pal, He is the Lord God omnipotent.“ This fear is not about being afraid if you are a believer. Sproul continues, “Even though God knows everything about you as a believer and as His child, He places a value upon you that is incalculable. … you matter to your Father.” In your worship today, perhaps include this in your prayer, “Lord, there is no one like you. You are great! Your name is great and powerful!“ (Jeremiah 10:6-7).
Today’s Verse: Luke 1:50
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
