Favored of the Lord

Luke 1:26-38 (click on reference to read scripture text)

As the angel was speaking, Mary had to realize the implications of his message, especially in the light of the culture that she lived in. She was literally placing her life in God's hands. A birth out of wedlock was a capital offense that would most likely result in stoning... and that is just the physical consequences. What about her reputation, the ridicule she would get because of her fantastic story, her impending marriage... all in jeopardy. Why? Because she had found favor with God (vs. 30).

I once heard a pastor say, "to be favored by the Lord, doesn't mean favors from the Lord." Mary is just one example. What about Daniel being thrown to the lions, Shadrach and friends into the fiery furnace, Joseph experiencing slavery and jail time, Esther being kidnapped from her home and forced into marriage with a pagan king, and the life of Paul is the definition of suffering. These men and women walked with God, loved God, served the Lord, yet they suffered.

Daniel 1:8 states that Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself. We too must resolve now how we will respond to future trials and directives from the Lord. We must decide now, do we love Jesus or do we only love what Jesus can do for us? We must resolve now to believe that God is good, PERIOD, so that in those trying times, our gut reaction is to cling to the Father and not run away.

So... what about me? Am I willing to be favored by the Lord? Am I living a life of 100% surrender and obedience to even be considered by Him? If so... do I consider it "pure joy when (I) face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2-4). May we respond like Mary, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" (vs.38).