FAVOR

 

FAVOR

When God sent the angel Gabriel to visit Mary

in Nazareth in the town of Galilee,

Gabriel's first words to Mary were:

"you are highly favored!"

and "the Lord is with you."

Assurances we all need daily, it's true.

What if we all greeted each other with such blessings:

a heart-felt greeting and benediction.

Our burdens would seem lighter

and our faces shine brighter

if we were reminded of God's presence -

daily - not just during this season of presents.

What does it mean to garner God's favor?

Favor is being blessed with God's good pleasure.

It's God's approval, or acceptance, with blessings.

God's favor is connected with righteous living.

Righteous living is outlined in God's Word,

to be shared with everyone in this world.

The Greek word for favor is charis meaning grace.

Grace is often described as God's unmerited favor to us.

To simplify, it's God's unconditional love.

We don't earn favor or grace, it's free; from heaven above.

It might be hard to grasp unconditional love

as our finite minds place conditions on love.

Gabriel also greeted Mary with "the Lord is with you."

What a promise! The Lord is with you and WILL never leave you.

Note the word will, meaning present tense.

His presence is abiding. What a present!

This present or gift was promised to Joseph by an angel as well

when the angel told him the baby's name would be Immanuel.

Immanuel means God with us.

What a wonderful promise!

Paul describes it as an "indescribable gift" (I Cor. 9:15).

Take a moment to ponder this gift in your spirit.

Then thank God for the gift of His presence

as you prepare to give Christmas presents.

Here's a benediction/blessing from God's Word to you:

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

* * * * *

The Bible tells us that Abel, Abraham, Noah,

Moses, Gideon, Samuel, Job, and many others

were commended by God because of their faith.

God's word for approval is favor or grace.

Why were these men approved by God anyways?

Because they desired to walk in God's ways:

being righteous, blameless, godly,

set apart, turning from evil - holy.

Not by works, but through obedience,

coveting a relationship, through reverence,

for the fear of the Lord means awe.

For their life to give God laud.

To give God glory and praise,

to seek His presence every day,

for each day is a present.

A blessing from God, a gift.

The angel went to her and said,

“Greetings, you who are highly favored!

The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words

and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

But the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

you have found favor with God...”

Luke 1:28-30

Moses said to the Lord...

“If you are pleased with me,

teach me your ways so I may know you

and continue to find favor with you.”

Exodus 33:12-13

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us.

Psalm 90:17

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men

on whom his favor rests.

Luke 2:14

Now is the time of God's favor,

now is the day of salvation.

II Corinthians 6:2b