HIGHLY FAVORED BY GOD

Post date: Dec 24, 2012 5:21:35 AM

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favors with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” Luke 1: 26-34

Till this very day in the history of humanity, everyone, irrespective of wealth, position, location, gender and profession is looking to be favored either by God, organization or by man in almost everything under the sun. Any kind of favor received or given carries great advantages, joy and hope for something better in the nearest future. While we expect to be favored daily, we should also work to merit such expectation daily. Christ said this about receiving, He said to “Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

While Christ Jesus encourages us to ask and seek continuously, Apostle Paul admonished us to ask and seek lawfully. “And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down).” For us to receive any meaningful and lasting favor from any source, we will have to develop a good working relationship with that source daily, and must have to follow lawful and acceptable principles. It is amazing to note the words of the Angel to Mary; “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favors with God” those word signifies that Mary practically did something unique to earn the favor she received that day. She must have established a relationship with God and earnestly sort His favor prior to that encounter with the angel. That must have been the reason the angel used the “you have found”.

I am convinced that the Angel did not meet Mary in any usual place to deliver the message; it was not a roadside or mall impromptu meeting, not on the streets, or any other location. Mary must have been in a place that was conducive enough for the Angel of God to be, a place quiet enough for the angel to speak, and a place quiet enough for Mary to clearly hear those words without any form of distraction. It must have been in a place that Mary had all the convenience and attention she needed in the world to actively engage the Angel in a conversation and to seek clarity of the message. Can you create such an atmosphere for yourself in this busy digital age?     

God is still looking for someone to favor and to use for His glory in our generation today. He is seeking hearts that are quiet enough to hear Him speak, minds that are focused enough to discern His ways, people who are willing enough to abandon themselves, individual who is submissive enough to understand the need to serve and to be used by God. God is not looking for any form of perfection from anyone, but He is looking for those who are sanctified and willing to be used. 

The result of the favor of the Lord in the life of any individual can never be mistaken, can never be ignored, and can never be taken away. Favor from God comes with a unique distinction which will definitely place you a path to honor with time. Mary did not ask to be the mother of our Lord, but the favor of the Lord made her the one. Favor from God will always take you far beyond the highest imagination you can ever conceive for yourself. MERRY CHRISTMAS