Mary’s Song of Praise

By Jameson Barker

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-56, Psalm 107:1-9, Matthew 5:3-10

It’s hard to imagine how Mary must have felt given the circumstances described in Luke 1. The news she received was not just unexpected, it was earth-shattering. A young, engaged woman from a small town, suddenly told she would carry the almighty Son of God. It’s a moment that doesn’t lend itself to a “smooth transition” reaction.

When Mary visited Elizabeth and the reality of it all began to sink in, she didn’t complain or try to figure out the logistics. She praised. She thanked God for seeing her, for choosing her, and for working in her humble circumstances. Mary was willing to be used and obedient to the Lord, and the miracle He brought forth through her changed the world.

Countless times in God’s Word, we observe how God used willing, obedient people to accomplish something world changing.

That’s what jumps out to me—God’s pattern of stepping into the low places. Psalm 107 talks about Him satisfying the thirsty and filling the hungry with good things. Matthew 5 records Jesus’s teaching that it’s the poor in spirit, the meek, and the ones who hunger for righteousness who are truly blessed. That’s not just a poetic line; it’s how God works. He sees us at our lowest and meets us there with His best. His presence in our low places is not just a comfort but a transformative force that can turn our fear into faith, our bitterness into praise.

If I’m honest, I don’t naturally live like this is true. As men, we’re taught to have it together, to figure things out, to climb higher. But Mary’s story reminds me that God’s not looking for my résumé. He’s looking for my surrender. And surrender often starts in moments I’d never choose—when the job is unstable or gone, when the diagnosis is unfair or unclear, when the plans fall apart.

Mary could have spiraled into fear or bitterness. Instead, she let the unexpected push her into worship. That resonates with me because my default is to push back, to fix, or complain. But what if the very moment I feel most thrown off is the moment God is actually positioning me to see His power more clearly?

So here’s the challenge I’m walking away with: When the unexpected hits, may my first step be toward gratitude, not grumbling. Would we be the type of people who stop and say, “God, I see You seeing me. I don’t get it all right now, but I trust You’re doing something bigger than I can see.” That doesn’t come naturally, but that’s the kind of faith we should long for.

Mary’s song isn’t just a moment in the Bible. It’s a response for real-life moments. Praise when it’s hard. Give thanks when it doesn’t make sense. Trust when you feel out of control. Because those humble places are often where He does His best work in you and through you.

Written by Jameson Barker