God's Holy Fire: 'Rejoice!'

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Mary responded, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!"
— Luke 1:46-47 NLT

Key Thought

Praise emanates from our spirits - that innermost part of us. Honest, heartfelt adoration and respect for God come from deep within our spirits. And as followers of Jesus, the Holy Spirit joins with our spirits and leads us to worship in ways not possible without the Holy Spirit (John 4:23-24; Ephesians 5:15-21). Just as Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit (Luke 10:21), we also are filled with joy through the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52; Romans 14:17). So our hearts join with Mary in praise of God who sent his Son into the world so we can be saved.

Today's Prayer

O Father, my soul rejoices in your grace and adores you for your sacrificial love. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, so that together with my spirit, I can worship you and bring praise to your glorious name. Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Note:
For several days, we will see the link between joy and the Holy Spirit. Jesus, of course, is our great example of this link, but we need to understand what "joy" means for us. In common usage, joy sometimes means happiness or pleasure. Christian joy can include happiness and pleasure, but it is so much more. In the New Testament sense, joy means the deep and abiding peace and comfort that we have regardless of our circumstances - peace and comfort that are ours because we are in God's family.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

10 Related Resources by Heartlight

Joining Mary in the Magnificat
Illustration of Luke 1:46-47
Inspirational illustration of Luke 1:46-47 -- My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
My Soul Praises the Lord
Devo: Passion for Praise
"Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now..."
Luke 1:46
Devo: Today's Verse
"Mary said, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.... The Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.""
He has done Great Things
Illustration of Luke 1:46
Inspirational illustration of Luke 1:46 -- Mary said, 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.... The Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name.'
See All 10 Related Resources about Luke 1:46-47

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 1:46-47 NLT — Mary responded, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, November 20, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Rebecca Manley Pippert:
"In Jesus' case, we have the story of the holiest man who ever lived, and yet it was the prostitutes and thieves who adored Him, and the religious who hated His...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Meeting Jesus and Learning His Mission'
"[After telling about hearing the voice on the road to Damascus, Paul continued his defense before the Roman governor, Festus, and his guests, by..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Content in All Circumstances' (Ph. 4:11-13)
"Sovereign Lord of all things, Abba, dear Father, I will not complain of want, for I have learned in whatever condition I am to be content. I know how..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'With a Kiss!' (Mt. 26:47-50)
"And even as Jesus said [his betrayer had arrived], Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They....."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations