11-16-20 THOUGHTS

In the sermon yesterday, we read the prayer of Hannah (1Sam 2:1-10) as she dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord.  I mentioned the prayer of Mary as comparative reading.  There are some remarkable similarities.       God is exalted, humility and gratefulness ooze from every part.  There is praise for the great doings of the Lord.  The theme of  “the last shall be first and first shall be last” resides in both prayers.
Luke 1:46-55    And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, 47  And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48  "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49  "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50  "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. [Ps 103:17] 51  "He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 52  "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. 53  "HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed. 54  "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, 55  As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever."
The last words of Hannah are    “And will exalt the horn of His anointed."
Both endings go back to God’s covenant with Abraham in Gen 12:3b  
             And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."
Surely God has exalted His Anointed!    Php 2:9   For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
Luke 4:16-21   And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.  17  And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written [Isa 61:1ff],  18  "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19  TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
20  And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21  And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Oh the wonder of God fulfilling HIS PROMISES!  
Heb 9:15    For this reason He [Christ] is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were [committed] under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

My Prayer:
We praise you, Oh God,  for your working in the lives of men to bring us Jesus.  Our souls exalt you, Oh Lord.  Your love and grace and mercy is overwhelming. You give strength and assurance to us who are without power.  In Jesus you have adopted us, Oh God.  Hope and light and life are from you.  We give thanks from the depths of our souls.   

 In Jesus name                   Amen