Luke 1:26-28, “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'”
When I read these verses, I want to know more. Don’t you? The words jump off the page and surround my mind, “…You who are highly favored.” Don’t you want to know how she is favored? What did Mary do in such a short time of life to be singled out, to be visited by Gabriel, to be qualified as highly favored?
She isn’t the first to be highly favored in God’s sight either. Throughout the Bible, God points out people He favored: Noah, Abraham, David, Joseph, Hagar, Isaac, Rahab, Tamar, Daniel, Moses, Paul, the disciples, and the list goes on. These people were chosen by God for a specific task. It is easy to look at the list and remark, “True. But they are all ‘hot shots,’ ‘big Bible names.’ God does not pick people like you and me.”
Exodus 31:2-4 talks about a man named Bezalel. Have you ever heard about him? “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze…”
So what’s the secret to receive God’s favor? How do you and I become ‘one of the list’? What is the similar trait, the connecting tissue, the key element in the lives of those God favored?
Proverbs 8:35, “For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.”
Proverbs 16:7, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Deuteronomy 28:1-2, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”
It’s not about your skin color, your age, your education, your community status, your abilities, your talents, your intelligence level, your fashion, your big home, your humble home. It all boils down to your obedience, your release of life, your full reliance on God, and your faith in Him. When God asks, He must know your heart will say, “YES!”
Talk to God about your desires to serve Him, wholly and completely, following His Word, His laws, and His way. Be a person God favors. Allow Him to use you in mighty ways.
