"A SAVIOR FOR A YOUNG GIRL" ... Mary

Luke 1:28 "The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly
favored! The Lord is with you.’"

The angel told the young girl that she was "highly favored" in the eyes
of God. Mary’s response to that message is full of faith: "May it be to
me as you have said." Mary had no illusions about what this would mean
for her life: Her baby wasn’t going to be Joseph’s child. She was going
to give birth to the Savior for the centuries. Who would believe that?
How could her fiancé ever understand? Small towns have never looked with
favor upon mothers who get pregnant before they marry. God had favored
her, but that could easily mean divorce, shame and shunning. Mary
accepted the words of the angel with faith,
but there was a high probability that she would live out her days alone,
hidden away in her parents home.
Even though it cost her everything, she said, "Yes!" Believing God was in control,
Mary placed her life and trust into His hands.
The nativity story says He did not forsake her.

Many Christians continue to pay a high price for being "highly favored"
and loved by God. In countries where the name of Jesus is banned,
our brothers and sisters remain faithful to the Babe of Bethlehem,
even though it may cost them position, advancement, freedom and friends.
Still, they considered themselves "highly favored." In places where we
are still free to look into Jesus’ manger and stand before His empty
Easter tomb, decisions against compromise must still be made. Faithless
family and friends fight those who follow the Lord.
Position and personal potential may be sacrificed by those who stay in the Savior’s service.
Yet, because of Jesus, we, like Mary, are highly favored.
God has favored us by sending His Son to be born in Bethlehem.
God has favored us by ensuring we are no longer lost, condemned or cursed by sin.
Like Mary we can rejoice that we are highly favored by the Savior for the centuries.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, let me see my life in proper perspective.
All of my Christian sacrifices are nothing compared to Yours.
Let me be glad that You have made me "highly favored." Amen.

IN THE SAVIOR’S SERVICE - say a prayer of appreciation for someone you
know who has remained faithful to the Lord, even though it has cost him.