Highly Favored

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

—Luke 1:28 —

For Gabriel to say, “the Lord is with you,” could mean that Jesus, our Master, had been conceived in her womb. This was what bewildered Mary, she was young, poor, female—all characteristics that, to the people of her day, would make her seem unusable by God for any major task. But God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience he has ever demanded of anyone. Many of us feel that our ability, experience, or education makes you an unlikely candidate for God’s service. Don’t limit God’s choices. He can use you if you trust him.

Has God ever asked you to do something you never expected to do? Mary was very surprised when the angel told her she would give birth to the Son of God (see Luke 1:26-34). Mary’s trust in God, and her obedience and submission with God’s plans and purposes is a great example to follow.

God’s favor does not automatically bring instant success or fame. His blessing on Mary, the honor of being the mother of the Messiah, would lead to much pain: her peers would ridicule her; her fiancé would come close to leaving her; her son would be rejected and murdered. But through her son would come the world’s only hope. Her submission was part of God’s plan to bring about our salvation. If sorrow weighs you down and dims your hope, think of Mary, and wait patiently for God to finish working out his plan.

Allow God to work in you as He wants to and know that all His plans for you are for your good. When unexpected things happen, keep trusting Him!

Pastor Greg Volich