True and lasting joy comes from faith. Mary praises God in her unfavorable circumstances because of her faith. She accepted God’s will for her faithfully and was able to receive the joy of the Lord. Christians are also joyful for the same reason. Our joy is not based in our circumstances but it is a supernatural fruit of God’s salvation received by faith. This is why joy is internal and that joy is an offering in worship. We worship what we know, and if we don’t truly know God, we cannot worship him. It is only through Jesus, we know God, and worship joyfully.
Joy Must be Obligatory
From these verses, we learn the source of Mary’s joy. She has a proper knowledge of God. Her theology is sound. Mary’s knowledge of God is not only true but applicable. It’s just information, but wisdom. Her theology results in praise, ‘my soul exalts the Lord’. Instead of blaming God for her unfavorable life situation, she praises joyfully. Mary fully understands who she will give birth to and submits to God’s will for her. Her theology is full of trust and obedience, leading to joy and praise (2 Ki 5:12-14, 15-17).
Mary exalts Jesus as Lord. She understands who Jesus is as Lord and who she is as a sinner. Mary understands she also needs Jesus to redeem her. It is only in Christ a sinner can be saved. Mary called the baby in her womb as God and Lord who would save her from her sins.
Joy and Humility
Rightfully, Mary identifies her major problem. It’s not lack of finance or safety. Her biggest problem is not the circumstances but her sin. Consequently, Mary calls herself a ‘bondslave’, who has no rights or power. This is not low self esteem, but submission to God (Acts 20:22-24). Mary’s joy is paired with humility before the Lord and obedient to his will.
Are you humble? Are you submitting to God’s word (Phil 2:8). Those who are disobedient are not humble. They make excuses and defend their behavior in pride. Mary says, ‘according to Your word’ (Lk 1:38), which shows boldness to obey through whatever circumstance. Her humility shows self-denial, which is not merely a disciplined life or forgoing of pleasure, but rather an exaltation of God who is greater. To deny yourself, is to see yourself as a sinner at the foot of the cross, in need of the gospel of every day (MLJ). Those who are biblically humble, will never have need to complain, for we understand we are the lowest beneath the cross, yet our lives are redeemed by His death and resurrection. The fruit of humility is joy in our Savior!
Joy and Holiness
Mary proclaims that God is doing a wonderful and holy work for her. (Lk 1:49). Her situation is under God’s holiness, so she could be joyful and appreciate. Her surprise pregnancy wasn’t a scandal or shameful or adulterous, but holy (Lk 1:34-35). Therefore she could be joyful.
Only by our salvation in the gospel of Jesus can we be holy. No works or riches can make us holy. (Mt 16:26). Tragically, all kinds of successful people will go to hell because they fall short of God’s holiness. (Rom 3:23, Gal 2:16) Man can do moral things and accomplish good deeds by God’s common grace. However, only by faith in Jesus can we become holy.
This is why our salvation is so great! Isaiah 43:25, Romans 8:31-35 The promises and blessings of forgiveness and holiness belong to every Christian (Is 43:25, Rom 8:31-35). What no man could accomplish, no matter how great, Christ has accomplished and given to us the reward. Even before kings, we can stand joyfully and proudly because of our salvation. (2 Cor 5:17, Acts 26:29)
Appreciating Salvation
Christians look miserable because they don’t appreciate their salvation. Like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, we forget the works of the Lord, the greatness of what God has done for us. Appreciating salvation is the gateway for all of God’s blessings. If we are discontent with Jesus the Son, and instead focus on what we want and what we feel like we need, if we look for something else to satisfy us rather than Christ, then what can God do? He has given us His Son and even still we want something else, then we are hopeless. It means we are not truly interested in actual salvation but rather our own desires (Rev 2:4, Mt 7:21-23).
If you are going through a hard time? Remember your salvation. Your hard time, while difficult, is nothing compared to your sin and it’s judgement. Christ has overcome our most impossible need and the joy of salvation is ours in Him.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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