“He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” (Luke 1:54–55, NIV84)

These verses are found in the middle of Mary’s song. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Mary broke into a prophetic song about God’s faithfulness. The thing that strikes me is how interconnected the Jewish people saw their lives. When I say interconnected, I mean interconnected to one another and to God. We in the West tend to see our existence autonomously. We see ourselves as independent and alone. But not true for the Biblical Jew. Mary connected what God was doing in her life with promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Mary stated that God’s faithfulness to His promises to the patriarchs was being fulfilled in her life and the lives of her contemporaries.

And if you think it stopped there with the Jews, you’re wrong. Mary’s words in these verses should be ours, too. We are wrong to see our lives autonomously. We are not alone. God’s presence and promises are as real for us as they were for the saints of biblical times. God still faithfully governs, guides, provides, and protects His children and His Church. The Lord never forgets His love and mercy. He sent Jesus into the world 2,000 years ago so that we might live in His grace and salvation.

Today, and every day, may we be reminded of our interconnectedness to God’s promises and to His people.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church