When we think of things in life which test our faith and character, we usually drift toward the negatives: Loss of health, income, property, relationships. But the greater tests of our faith come from the positives: success, prosperity, and yes, even praise. Proverbs 27:21 states, 'The crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold, but a man is tested by the praise he receives.' All of us have known people who have developed 'big heads' as a result of praise received. How do we handle praise without developing a swelled head? In the interaction between two pregnant women, Elisabeth and Mary, Elisabeth heaps praise on Mary! She is blessed among women for being the mother of the Lord and for her faith that God can do the impossible. It would have been easy for Mary to develop a swelled head, to exalt herself, but she does not. In the song that Mary composed, she shows us how to handle praise so that it does not inflate us. She redirects the praise to the One who deserves it-- to God Himself. The reasons being: (1) Even though all generations will call her blessed, Mary considered herself as simply a lowly servant of the Lord, who is what she is by God's grace and might. (2) Even though some might think that her situation is unique, Mary considers it as only an application of God's past patterns. And (3) While others might consider her part in bringing he Messiah into the world as the most important, Mary views it as only a part of God's big plan. In doing so, she was able to direct the praise to the One for whom it is due! She magnified the Lord and praised His name! |