Highly Favored One

"You have found favor with God,"  Luke 1:30.

We can learn about the amazing and remarkable woman of the bible.  Let's take a look at Mary, the remarkable mother our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed Among Women.

Exactly what kind of woman did God choose to "blessed...among women"  (Luke 1:28) to carry within her womb God-become-man, to love and cherish Him as her first-born son, to raise Him in the knowledge of the Lord God, to be the mother of his precious and only Son?

A chaste virgin -- the prophet Isaiah stated that God's son would be born of a virgin.  "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14.  Young Mary was unmarried, a pure and godly woman.

A humble maiden -- Hailing from the village of Nazareth, Mary was a small-town girl, not a princess from a powerful nation or a sophisticated city girl from the best of society.

A devoted follower  -- God always looks at the heart, not the outward appearance.  "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7.

A faithful Jew -- Of the tribe of Judah and the line of David, Mary worshiped the one true God and apparently did so in spirit and truth.  "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."  John 4:24.  Only such a woman would qualify for God's important assignment.

As you appreciate and marvel at Mary's life, let yourself enjoy the relief that comes with knowing that, no matter how humble, how simple, how poor, how ordinary, how intelligent, or how successful we are, God looks on our hearts just as He did Mary's.  Like her , you can be blessed among women and used by God to do great things for Him.  How?  Simply love Him...love Him humbly, devotedly, faithfully...love Him with all YOUR heart, soul, strength, and mind!  "He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27.

Priceless Passion.
How exactly would Christ arrive?  The answer, in a word is Mary.  Little is known about this woman so richly blesses by God to bring His Son into the world.  We know that the Bible reports that she was a virgin from the city of Nazareth, of the tribe of Judah, of the royal line of David.  Let's look into a few more details about her remarkable life drawn from the culture of Mary's day.

Parents -- Although Mary's parents are never mentioned, we can believe, based on Mary's character and knowledge of God's word, that she came from a godly home of devout Jews.

Training -- As they grew up, girls were trained not only in household tasks, but also in the things of the Lord.  It is evident in the richness of her praise-filled "Magnificat" that she knew the Scriptures well and had hidden portions of God's Word in her young heart. 

And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."  Luke 1:46-55

Engagement -- Mary was engaged to Joseph in an era when betrothal was binding.  The engagement, made official by a signed, written document of marriage, came at least one year before the wedding.

Age  -- Most Israelite boys married by their late teens, but women wed even earlier.  The rabbis, however, had set the minimum age for marriage at twelve years for girls.  Mary was most likely a young adolescent.

Although she was probably young and poor Mary had something priceless on the inside.  She was a woman who loved God deeply, obediently, supremely, and passionately. 

With God, it's always what's inside that counts!  When He shines His holy light into the corner of YOUR heart, what does He discover there, dear one?  Make it YOUR heart's desire to nurture a deep, obedient, supreme, passionate love for God!  Such love is priceless and eternal treasure.

Mary's Message for YOUR Life Today

Do you wonder why Mary was able to accept God's radical plan for her life?  Mary's own words answer that question.  She saw herself as God's handmaiden and accepted His will for her life.  Mary knew her Heavenly Father well enough to trust Him, to rest in His love for her, and to accept what He ordained for her life.  Remarkable!!

CHALLENGE:

Is YOURS an attitude of servanthood and acceptance?  Prayerfully consider this checklist:

1.  How do you generally handle shocking news or unfair circumstances?
2.  What keeps you from replying to the events of life with "let it be me according to your word?"
3.  What could you do to learn more about the character of our trustworthy God?
4.  What step toward that goal will you take today?

Share these with YOUR PRAYER WARRIOR!!

Additional Scriptures to Read:
Luke 1:38
Psalm 123:2
Romans 12:2
John 8:41
Luke 2:35
John 19:25

In Christ's Enduring Love,

~Lynn