The Magnificent Revival
Luke 1:46b - 55
By Rev Rosette Leila Suleman
My Christian life was influenced by my parents who happened to be active members of the the East Africa Revival Movement (EARM) that was started by Rwanda exiles in Uganda following the 1959 Hutu tribe-led Revolution. The Revival then provided the Tutsi returnees a means by which to heal from decades of suffering. As a young Ugandan Christian, I loved to experience the magnificent worship, praises, and testimonies of the Rwandans exiled in Uganda. To a majority of Ugandans, the exiles had brought magnificent revival in our country!
In Luke 1:46b-55 (ESV), Mary sees clearly a most remarkable thing about God: God is about to change the course of all human history.
46- my soul magnifies the Lord. - The ’Magnificat’ comes from ‘ magnifies’. Thus a true, heartfelt, worship ought to always flow out of us spontaneously acknowledging that the Lord is the giver of every good gift thing in our lives.
48- He has looked on the humble estate of His servant - God knows us and everything pertaining to us.
48 – 51 He is Holy - God does mighty things
52 - He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate - God has knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud! Indeed God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. God is turning around situations. Those who were despised are being lifted up and vice-versa.
The rich oppressed the poor in every way possible, took away their property and their God given rights, denied them justice. They did not plead the case of the widow, the orphan or the stranger in their midst.
The magnificent story is the mandate given throughout scripture, that Christians are called “ to do justice”. The prophets who foretold the birth of Jesus served as God’s appointed messengers in opposing the oppression of God’s people and at the same time confronting the collective unrighteousness (injustice) of those in positions of power and authority. From the midst of that oppression and injustice they pointed to the Messiah who would be sent from God bringing freedom and justice to a suffering people; the Prince of Peace who would establish justice and righteousness forever. And when the angel Gabriel told the virgin Mary that she was going to have a child who would be the Son of God, she was so moved by this vision of God, the Lover of the lowly, that she breaks out in this song known today as the Magnificat.
It is our duty to practice justice for the Lord God who loves justice. As Christians, we are called to take action, confront evil, and care for the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3).
Back in Kenya and East Africa, we thank God for the ministry of Kenya MFSA! We will pray for the Holy Spirit to continue equipping us with the power to preach, minister, and break chains among the broken-hearted, oppressed and hurt. We pray that we shall all keep the spirit of the revival, the magnificent revival that reminds us to faithfully represent God by how we live as a community of Love, Justice, and Worship.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, we come before you in humble adoration. We thank you for considering us worthy to be coworkers with you. We ask you to grant us the wisdom, strength, courage, boldness and resources to defend the defenseless, to speak up for the speechless, to obtain justice for the oppressed, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, to give hope to the hopeless so that multitudes will experience your love and magnificent Revival In Jesus’ mighty name we pray! Amen.
Rev Rosette Leila Suleman is a full time Pastor of the United Methodist Church, Kenya-Ethiopia Conference, Nairobi District. She is a Ugandan citizen and has lived in Kenya for over two decades. She is a widow and has 3 sons, 4 daughters, and 6 grandchildren.
Rev Rosette is currently the Refugees Community Outreach Missions Coordinator of Kenya MFSA.
