The favor of God. That HAS to be a wonderful thing! Knowing that the God of the Heavens who has created everything and knows both history and the future has placed His favor on YOU!

There may come a time in your life where you will realize that God has intentionally chosen you to play a pivotal role in His grand plan. As a matter of fact, it’s highly likely that He already has placed His favor on you!

When I think of God’s favor, I’m imagining that everything is going well. I am obedient and everything falls into place as I watch God’s plan unfold in front of my eyes.  With God’s favor on my side, what can possibly go wrong?

Right?

Well, it depends on what your definition of going right is  

Let’s consider Mary…

Luke 1:26-35 (TPT)

During the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent from God’s presence to an unmarried girl named Mary, living in Nazareth, a village in Galilee. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, a true descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Grace to you, young woman, for the Lord is with you  and so you are anointed with great favor.”

Mary was deeply troubled over the words of the angel and bewildered over what this may mean for her.  But the angel reassured her, saying, “Do not yield to your fear, Mary, for the Lord has found delight in you and has chosen to surprise you with a wonderful gift.  You will become pregnant with a baby boy, and you are to name him Jesus.  He will be supreme and will be known as the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will enthrone him as King on his ancestor David’s throne.  He will reign as King of 
Israel forever, and his reign will have no limit.”

Mary said, “But how could this happen? I am still a virgin!”

Gabriel answered, “The Spirit of Holiness will fall upon you and almighty God will spread his shadow of power over you in a cloud of glory! This is why the child born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.

Not only did Mary find favor with God, but He also sent her an angel to tell her all about it! Verse 29 tells us that Mary was troubled over the words of the angel. But why?

Well let’s think about the facts:

• she was young
• she was unmarried
• she was a virgin
• she was just told she’s about to be pregnant!

How will she tell her fiancee? How will her parents react? What will her community think about her?!?!

I’m sure a million things were swirling through her head, and that the words “the Lord has found delight in you” may have been diluted with the “what-ifs”.

But God chose HER. He knew all of the what-ifs. He understood what this all meant. He knew every twist and turn in the plot of hardships she and Joesph would face. 

But in the end was Jesus. Just as God had promised. Emmanuel, “God with Us” was in Mary’s arms. God had found favor in her, and I’m sure at that moment when she looked at Jesus newborn face, all of the what-ifs and difficulties faded away.

But God’s favor didn’t end there, and neither did the trouble. If you remember, Mary stood at the foot of the cross and watched her son die a horrible and painful death. Helpless.

But in the end was Jesus. His ugly and horrific death was only the beginning of God’s gift. Jesus death was only possible because Mary was chosen as part of God’s plan. 

It wasn’t easy, but God chose her.

As you reflect on this chapter this week, I want you to think about whether or not you quickly get discouraged when you experience trouble and “what-ifs” when God calls you to something.

Because the biggest things God calls us to will bring the biggest challenges, but also the greatest rewards.  

A good friend sent me these words from a devotional she read this week:

“ There is a tremendous price to be paid by those who are highly favored by God; favor means, simply, that God is willing to use you.”

Mary was favored by God, and she paid a steep price. But 2,000+ years later, we are all still grateful that she heeded God’s call on her life and obediently obeyed God. 

Are you ready to accept the call God has for you?

I pray every day that I am and am asking you to join me. This life of following Christ may not be sunshine and roses all of the time, but it has eternal rewards. And the small part you play is actually a huge part in God’s plan. 

And while it likely won’t be easy, you can know that finding favor in God’s eyes means that He knows you are up to the challenge. And just like He knew Mary would need that angel to help her understand and stop being afraid, He will give you what you need to get through. He’s got your back.

Have a wonderful week, friend!

Angie