The Joy of Waiting: Finding Hope in God's Promises
Mary's Magnificat emphasizes how God often acts in unexpected ways in our lives and the world. The song highlights the themes of joy, God's faithfulness, and the reversal of worldly power structures. During Advent, believers are called to wait with hopeful assurance, trusting in God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible.
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Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise
As we enter this Advent season, our hearts turn to themes of anticipation, preparation, and joy. This time of year reminds us of the profound truth that God’s people have always been called to wait—not in passive resignation but in active, joyful expectation.
The story of Mary, a young girl of perhaps 15 or 16, provides a powerful example of this joyful waiting. Upon hearing the astounding news that she would bear the Son of God, Mary retreated to the Judean countryside to visit her cousin Elizabeth. There, filled with the Holy Spirit, she burst forth in some of the most powerful words of joy in all of Scripture. Her song of praise has echoed through the centuries:
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” Luke 1:46-49
Mary’s song, known as the Magnificat, is not a gentle lullaby but a triumphant war cry. It’s a song of protest, proclaiming that God can and will set things right in a world marred by sin and injustice and is indeed already doing so with his Son’s birth. Steeped in Scripture, Mary’s words reveal a young woman who had devoted herself to God’s Word and recognized His mighty acts throughout history.
As we reflect on Mary’s song, we’re reminded that when we study Scripture and spend time with the Lord, our eyes are opened to see His work in our lives and the world around us. It’s not about memorizing trivia; it’s about allowing God’s inspired Word to transform our hearts, minds, and souls.
Mary’s song echoes themes found throughout the Old Testament—from Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 to David’s Psalms (34, 136). She reflects on Genesis, which features Abram’s call (Genesis 12), God’s covenant with Abram (Genesis 15), the reiteration of the promise to Isaac (Genesis 17), and on through Isaac, Jacob and the sons of Israel. All remind us of God’s promises to redeem us through His chosen people. When Mary sees her God act, her heart is filled, and the song of praise of goodness flows out of that abundance.
She proclaims God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His power to upend the effects of sin:
Morally: Scattering the proud and exalting the humble
Socially: Casting down the mighty and lifting up the lowly
Economically: Filling the hungry and sending away the rich empty-handed
In this song, we see the collision of two ages—the time of the prophets coming to a close and the age of the Messiah dawning. It’s a reminder that a divine rescue mission has begun with Christ’s arrival. God is throwing Himself into the midst of our broken world as Savior.
But saved from what? From the very things we renounce in our baptismal vows—the spiritual forces of wickedness, the evil powers of this world, and sin itself. When we look around, we see the devastating effects of sin: illness, catastrophe, addiction, and behaviors that destroy ourselves and others. On a global scale, we’re confronted with the staggering realities of sin’s effects.
Just some brief examples: Bread for the World estimates that more than 700 million people worldwide lack nutritional needs. World Vision states that there are 40 million victims of human trafficking, most of whom are in forced labor and many caught in the sex industry, including a quarter of them are children.
We know this wasn’t God’s intention for creation, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of such evil. But Mary’s song reminds us that God has always been in the business of doing what seems impossible. From Abraham and Sarah to Hannah and Samuel, God has worked through unlikely people and circumstances to fulfill His promises.
Like Mary’s, our response should be to shout and sing for joy, tell others of God’s goodness, and press on in the conviction that He is faithful. Remember, from the very beginning, God has always been in the business of doing what seemed impossible. We can claim God’s promises for ourselves, trusting that what He has done for Mary will do for us all. Like Mary and the baby in her womb, we can claim God’s promises for ourselves because God promises to be our Savior and set everything right.
This is especially good news for the poor, powerless, and oppressed. Mary’s song reveals that God’s salvation comes not through the rich and powerful but through the poor and downtrodden. It’s a complete reversal of the world’s values, echoing the words of the angels at Jesus’ birth:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” Luke 2:14
Waiting with Hope and Joy
The Magnificat has two parts, which are often divided into two paragraphs. The first part is about what God has done for her, and the second part is about what He’s doing for the world. What’s fascinating is although the baby is currently in her womb, she uses past tense to describe what He’s done for her. Her intention is that He’s already accomplished this. What was, is, and will be is all the same because God has promised this; it’s worth trusting as already finished once God has started it.
As we navigate our own times of political division, economic instability, and social upheaval, Mary’s song reminds us that our hope lies not in earthly leaders or institutions but in the One born of Mary. He shows up in unexpected places, fulfilling God’s promises to crush the head of the serpent and offer salvation from sin, fear, and death (Genesis 3:15).
Because God loves us so much and hates our sins, He refuses to leave us. He offers us salvation from sin and ourselves and hope for the lost. Through His salvation, we’re offered peace with God and a new life where all are cared for and fed. We must recognize that it began with a teenage girl who loved God and her ability to say yes to God’s work in her life. As she said earlier in Luke 1, “Behold, I am the servant[f] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
We rejoice in that.
Yet, this salvation often comes through waiting. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s people called to wait—Noah for the flood, Abraham for a son, Joseph in slavery and prison, and the disciples in the upper room. Even now, the church waits for Christ’s return.
There is a long line of miraculous circumstances where there was no other way in the waiting than God honoring His word to bring us salvation by making a way and fulfilling His promises.
Waiting is hard, but it’s in these times of waiting that God is often working in ways we can’t see. Whether we’re waiting for a loved one to come to Christ for healing, financial breakthroughs, or justice in our world, we’re called to wait with hope and confidence.
Like Mary, we can sing out with heart, soul, and voice, reminding ourselves of God’s faithfulness and unbroken record of keeping His promises. We can trust that what He has done, He will do again.
However, there’s a caveat to this blessed life of faith – it will, in one way or another, lead us to the cross. We’re called not just to a life of ease and comfort but to a task that requires all of ourselves. We’re asked to yield more and more to God’s purposes and for His glory.
As we journey through the Advent season and beyond, may we live in this hope, praising God with our whole being. May we thank Him for taking notice of us, His lowly servants, and for reaching down to save us through Mary’s baby boy.
Whatever you may be waiting for today, take heart. The light of Christ is overcoming the darkness. His holy invasion is underway. And in that, we can truly rejoice.
TL;DR
God often works through unexpected people and situations, reminding us to look for His presence in unlikely places.
Our response to God's faithfulness should be joyful praise and sharing His goodness with others, even in times of waiting.
Living a faithful life may lead us to challenges, but it also brings us closer to God's purposes and glory.
As believers, we’re called to remember that Christ's light is growing brighter in our world. Whatever we may be waiting for in our lives, we can rejoice in the knowledge that God's "holy invasion" is underway, bringing hope, peace, and transformation.
