Jesse Tree, Day 21 – Chosen and Highly Favored by God

For the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. Luke, 1:49, NIV

Read: Luke 1 20- 46-56

Perhaps, they were fearful and worried for her safety. And not without good cause. In their society, pregnancy outside of marriage would mean death by stoning. But even before that, there would be shame and stigma associated with Mary’s condition.

I often wonder why God chose this most unconventional approach for the conception of his son. I often wonder about the strength of mind and spirit that it had taken young Mary to accept the news that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. What a weight for this young girl to bear!

And yet, I have no doubt that Mary was chosen because God knew that she was well able to take on this task. She was the one with whom he could entrust this awesome responsibility.

Friends, sometimes the greatest opportunity that God has in store will test us to the limit. The difficulty you are facing may cause you to doubt that you are really chosen and highly favored by God.  However remember this. If God brings you to it, He knows that with His help you are well able to handle it. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, (NLT) we read:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. Luke 1:46-50, NIV

If, like Mary, we are able to trust in His divine care, we will be able to still praise God through the difficulty of our current circumstances. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Mary’s praise of God for this unconventional pregnancy experience: 

Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

Like Mary, can we trust and praise God even when we don’t understand how or why?  Can we trust that even a present challenge we may be facing is because we have been chosen and highly favored by God for a great work.

REFLECT: In what ways does the experience of Mary as a pregnant unwed mother chosen to carry the messiah inspire you?