Heart & Mouth Are Connected

GETTING STARTED

In 1945, Alfred Delp, a Jesuit priest, was condemned as a traitor for his opposition to Hitler. Shackled in his prison cell facing an uncertain future, he wrote Advent of the Heart, an enduring testimony to God’s faithfulness, even in the midst of trials. In today’s passage, a young, unmarried, pregnant woman—living in society that stoned women for such circumstances—also sang an enduring testimony to God’s faithfulness. While experiencing incredible trials, both Alfred Delp and Mary showered praise on God, showing what had been buried in their hearts for years before.

  • What flows out of your mouth when you are under stress or facing difficult times?

READ THE WORD: LUKE 1:46-56 (ESV)

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.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. From what part of Mary does she say this hymn of praise comes?
  2. What are some of the characteristics of God that Mary listed?
  3. In these eleven verses, Mary quoted twelve different passages of the Old Testament. What does that tell us about Mary?
  4. Mary memorized the Word of God. What are you doing to intentionally set aside time to memorize God’s Word? 

RESPOND TO GOD

Like Mary, we will at some point find ourselves in a crisis where our lives are shaken. In those times, what comes out of our mouths is directly related to what has been stored in our hearts. If we have hidden God’s Word in our hearts, our lives will become a song of praise that gives glory to the Lord. “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).

  • Ask God to give you a hunger and thirst for his Word, and ask him to give you the time and ability to memorize Scripture.
  • Pray for a heart abundantly filled by the Word of God.