Lifting the Humble: Finding Peace in God’s Strength
Scripture: Luke 1:51-53
"He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty." (Luke 1:51–53, ESV)
The Majesty of God’s Strength in Humility
History records a young woman, barely past childhood, standing on the precipice of an unimaginable part of God’s plan. Mary, a simple girl from an unremarkable town, lifts her voice in awe of the God who had chosen her—a nobody—to play such a critical role in His redemptive plan. As her song continues, she praises the greatness of God, marveling at His mighty strength and His care for the lowly.
“He has shown strength with his arm,” she sings, perhaps recalling the God who split the Red Sea, toppled kingdoms, and now reaches into the obscurity of her life. Mary knows her humble estate doesn’t hinder God’s work; instead, it magnifies His glory. Her song reflects a timeless truth: the Almighty delights in exalting the humble.
This glimpse of God’s strength contrasts with our human frailty. We, like Mary, have no power of our own. Every breath, every heartbeat, and every talent we possess is a gift from God. Yet, how often do we forget our dependence on Him, striving in our own strength and falling prey to the sin of pride?
Why Pride Separates Us from God
Scripture repeatedly warns against pride, the self-exalting sin that pits us against God’s will. As Mary declares, God scatters the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. Pride blinds us to our need for Him, inflating our own importance and severing the humility that draws us near to His grace.
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble,” writes Peter (1 Peter 5:5). Pride is the soil where sins like self-reliance, ingratitude, and judgmentalism grow. In Proverbs, we read that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Pride tells us we don’t need God. It whispers lies of self-sufficiency, urging us to live as if our accomplishments are by our strength alone.
But Mary’s song pulls us back to reality. The strong arm of the Lord scatters the proud, bringing down the mighty and sending the rich away empty. His kingdom doesn’t cater to worldly power or wealth. Instead, it operates on an “upside-down” principle where the humble are lifted high and the hungry are satisfied.
Living in God’s Upside-Down Kingdom
God’s ways are not our ways. In His kingdom, the last shall be first (Matthew 20:16), and the meek inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). Mary’s Magnificat echoes this divine reversal: He exalts the humble and fills the hungry with good things.
Picture a sparrow flitting through the sky, seen and valued by God. Imagine the lilies of the field, clothed in splendor greater than Solomon’s. This is the care God lavishes on His creation, especially those who approach Him in need and trust.
Mary understood this deeply. She celebrated not her own merit but the God who chose her, a humble servant, to carry the Savior. Her life exemplified the beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). God’s attention to the lowly reveals His heart: He cherishes dependence, trust, and faith.
Practical Steps to Rest in His Strength
Humility before God is not weakness; it is the safest place we can be. Pride keeps us striving, restless, and anxious, but dependence on God brings peace. Peter reminds us to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6–7).
When we acknowledge our need for Him, we open the door to His provision and power. Resting in God’s strength frees us from the exhausting cycle of trying to control everything and make things happen in our own power. We don’t have to control everything. We don’t have to have all the answers. We only need to trust the One who does.
Reflection
Mary’s song calls us to examine our own hearts. Are we walking humbly before God, or has pride crept in? Do we acknowledge our dependence on Him for everything, from the air we breathe to the gifts we use?
Take a moment to reflect:
- Where have I tried to rely on my own strength instead of God’s?
- How can I embrace humility and surrender to His will today?
- Am I trusting in His care, or am I holding onto anxieties that He calls me to cast on Him?
Practical Applications
- Recognize Pride’s Presence: Ask God to reveal areas where pride has taken root. Confess these places and invite Him to cultivate humility in your heart.
- Practice Dependence: Begin your day by surrendering your plans to God in prayer. Trust His wisdom over your own.
- Celebrate the Lowly: Look for ways to lift others up, especially those overlooked by society. Reflect God’s heart by valuing what the world dismisses.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your strength and care. Forgive me for the pride that blinds me to my need for You. Teach me to walk humbly before You, depending on Your grace in every area of my life. Exalt the lowly places in my heart and fill me with the good things of Your kingdom. May I magnify You, not myself, in all that I do. Amen.
Quote to Consider
“Still to the lowly soul / He doth Himself impart, / And for His cradle and His throne / Chooseth the pure in heart.” –John Keble
Encouragement
As you journey through this Advent season, let Mary’s song remind you of the beauty of humility and dependence on God. Rest in His strength, knowing that He exalts the humble and fills the hungry with good things. Trust that His care for you is as sure as His promises, and let your heart magnify the Lord.
