Christmas Advent Devotional Day 24: Holy is His Name

 



Luke 1:48-49

48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name. (NKJV)

 

As we continue Mary’s song of rejoicing, notice the posture of her heart.  She sees herself as humble and lowly.  Despite God elevating her place in the kingdom to “Blessed Among Women”, she recognizes that before Him, she remains in a lowly state. None of us can boast in ourselves before the Lord.  All we can do, as the Apostle Paul did, is rejoice in Who He is and what He has done! Our boasting is only in Him and in His marvelous excellence.

Mary acknowledges that her new state is “Blessed” and that from that day forward, other people would know it as well.  She is indeed blessed!  But it is only because the “Blesser” has come to her.  All her blessings are the Lord’s doing and not of herself.

Mary confesses that it is God who is mighty and powerful. He is the God who is greater than the laws of nature and biology!  He alone can create life without a human male contributor.   It is Him who has done great things for her- and for us as well.  Her blessing becomes our Blessing.  Her inheritance becomes our inheritance. What was happening in Mary was (oh so) personal! And yet the implications were to all.  As many as would believe and call on His Name. 

Mary acknowledged that God- and His Name- are holy.  According to Bibledictionarytoday.com holiness is defined as follows:

"In the biblical context, "holy" conveys the idea of being set apart, sacred, or consecrated. It is often associated with purity and the divine nature of God. The Hebrew word for holy is qadosh, which denotes separateness and distinction, particularly in relation to God’s character. Similarly, in the New Testament, the Greek word hagios reflects this concept of being set apart for God’s purposes."

God is indeed set apart, sacred and consecrated.  He is pure and His divine nature is included when we declare His Name.  Holy is the Name of the Lord!

 


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