One of those mornings where a few words in a pretty well known biblical story just grab me. Five words really . . . each of which I can define easily . . . but when combined, stretch my ability to articulate what they really mean . . . though I think I know what they look like in action, I’m hard pressed to fully understand how they really work. Five words that ignite something in me . . . five words that I want to know experientially . . . five words that create a sense of awe when I think of the privilege of participating in the experience . . . five words spoken by another, but claimed as my own this morning . . .

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.” (Luke 1:46-47 ESV)

Two women, each “great with child”, come together for a very special time together. One is an older lady . . . for all intents and purposes she has no business being pregnant for she is “advanced in years” (1:7) . . . but she is because God has heard her prayer and removed her barrenness (1:13). The other is a much, much younger lady . . . who also has no business carrying a child as she is still a virgin (1:34) . . . but the Holy Spirit has come upon her, and the power of the Most High has overshadowed her and she has conceived the Son of God (1:35). And, as the older, filled with the Spirit, confirms the prophetic word spoken to the younger (1:41-45), the younger breaks forth in praise (1:46-55) . . . “My soul magnifies the Lord.”

“My soul magnifies the Lord” . . . those are the five words that have me thinking this morning. What does it really mean for my soul to magnify the Lord? How does it work? What does it look like? What does God think when He sees Himself being magnified by my soul?

Literally the word “magnify” means to “enlarge” . . . to “make great.” Makes sense. When I use a magnifying glass or telescope, I’m making something appear larger so that it can be seen more easily and clearly . . . I’m bringing it into better view. So how does the soul “enlarge” God? Not that God needs to be enlarged . . . not that I need to or can make Him any greater . . . but how does my soul bring that greatness in to clearer view . . . how does it shine the light and increase the focus on the magnificence of our great God? Short answer: through praise.

With a profound sense of what God is doing in her life (“He has looked on the humble estate of His servant”), the younger lady, Mary, praises God from the wellspring of all she is . . . from the seat of her emotion, intellect, and well . . . from her soul. That pump is primed by a deep, deep joy within her spirit . . . and the water that flows is the joyful declaration of who this great God is. She lifts her voice and declares that God is mighty . . . His name is holy . . . His mercy is for those who fear Him . . . He shows His strength . . . He scatters the proud . . . He brings down the mighty and exalts those of humble estate . . . He fills the hungry . . . He helps His servants . . . He remembers His mercy . . . He follows through on His promises (1:49-55). And in this, she magnifies the Lord.

And it strikes me that I too can participate in this privileged experience of being a magnifying agency for the glory of God. I know of His greatness from what has been revealed from His word, from the illumination graciously provided by His Spirit. I also know of His greatness from the favor shown to this “humble servant” and the work I have seen in my own life’s sphere. And I’ve known what it is to be in His presence and feel that pump being primed as the joy builds and my spirit rejoices . . . what it is to want to praise and worship Him from my most inner being, from all that I am, from my soul. In this too, then, I can magnify the Lord. Oh what a blessed experience to be able to participate in . . . what a holy privilege to be a magnifier for the glory of God! Amen?

“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together!” (Psalm 34:3 ESV)