March 14
56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
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Divine Favor.....
Mary found favor with God and was blessed to give birth to the Savior of all mankind.
This blessing came at a tremendous price though, didn't it?
She had to bear the sneers, sideways glances, rumors, and gossip of being with child before marriage. ( at that time, being pregnant without marriage was actually looked down upon!)
She had to raise this rather confusing child. He would do things like hang out at the temple speaking with the elders, while his frantic parents searched everywhere for him!
She saw him be wrongly accused and crucified ....Witnessing this brutal death of her son must have been .....well, there are no words for how it must have been.
So when we seek Divine Favor, we must remember that favor with God does not usually mean favor with man. And, like Mary the mother of Jesus, there may be a heavy price to pay for the blessing of God on our lives.
But we can know that it will be worth it all, to stand before the Lord in heaven and hear those words we long to hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Seek His favor in all things. The reward will be great!
Luke 1:26-56
FAVOR
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus’ Birth Foretold
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged 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 kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”The Magnificat
46 And Mary said:
“My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
53 “He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54 “He has given help to Israel His servant,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
53 “He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54 “He has given help to Israel His servant,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
*****************************************************************************************
Divine Favor.....
Mary found favor with God and was blessed to give birth to the Savior of all mankind.
This blessing came at a tremendous price though, didn't it?
She had to bear the sneers, sideways glances, rumors, and gossip of being with child before marriage. ( at that time, being pregnant without marriage was actually looked down upon!)
She had to raise this rather confusing child. He would do things like hang out at the temple speaking with the elders, while his frantic parents searched everywhere for him!
She saw him be wrongly accused and crucified ....Witnessing this brutal death of her son must have been .....well, there are no words for how it must have been.
So when we seek Divine Favor, we must remember that favor with God does not usually mean favor with man. And, like Mary the mother of Jesus, there may be a heavy price to pay for the blessing of God on our lives.
But we can know that it will be worth it all, to stand before the Lord in heaven and hear those words we long to hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Seek His favor in all things. The reward will be great!
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