Mary’s Song
Mary praised God for what he was doing in her life. She was clearly blessed by God, and even what she expected was exceeded in her life. Her song is a song of met expectations.
Luke 1:46-49, 53 And Mary said, “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. he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
Job’s Life
Job’s life was different. His expectations for his family and business were not met. But Job trusted God’s purposes even in tragedy. In the end, he submitted himself to God, no matter what.
Job 42:1-6 Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
Are you willing to trust God when your life is more like Job’s than Mary’s?
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share a time when you felt like Mary, blessed beyond measure by the hand of God.
- Share a time when you felt like Job, struggling to make sense of tragedy or disappointment in your life.
- When did you feel closer to God: in the “Mary” time or “Job” time of your life? Explain.
- Read Job 42:1-6. Summarize Job’s conclusion in your own words. Why do you think he came to that conclusion? Do you agree with it?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
