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the favor of God

 


Luke 1:26-30  NASB

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.


This is one of the first parts of the Christmas story, and it is one of the best known as well.  The list of the angel to Mary bringing the message from God may also be one of the sweetest of all parts, other than Jesus’ birth.


Mary was young and in the most exciting time of a young lady’s life.  She was preparing to get married and really to begin her adult life starting her own family.  Scripture tells us she comes from a family of faith.  She was in the right place and something special is happening.


What overarches all of this is the fact that the angel said Mary had “favor” with God.  That is an incredible word.


When we have favor, good things happen.  We might say that is winning the lottery or getting the best seat on the plane or finding a great buy on what we are buying someone for Christmas.  But I say that favor is much more than that.


God chose this young lady because she was ready to do what God asked of her.  God knew her heart, and because of her heart and her faith, she had favor with God.


We should have favor too.  Take a few minutes to think about the favor that Mary had.  It really is an incredible story.  How can we have favor?  Is God guiding you or blessing you in some specific way?  God is always speaking, and I suggest that He is most likely speaking to you now.


Think about favor.  God had favor on Mary.  God has favor on us as He gives us life through Jesus, spiritual life.  God has favor on us as we move through our days and live with purpose.  I bet we can see God’s work all around us, and it might just be the favor of God.


Think about that!  The favor of God… was on Mary, and it is on us.

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