The Favor of Yahweh
(5 minutes)
Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Rejoice, beloved young woman, for the Lord is with you and you are anointed with great favor." Mary was deeply troubled over the words of the angel and bewildered over what this may mean for her. (Luke 1:28-29)
Pastor Tim brought up a great question on Sunday for us to take into our walk with Abba today. It's all about how we look at God's favor. As we are venturing into a new year we'll certainly be hearing all kinds of talk about the upcoming favor that is heading our way, but what do we think about when we hear about God's favor? Do we imagine a more comfortable lifestyle with all the trending amenities? Do we imagine a new car or a cushy bank account? Are we imagining a better version of what we already have and long for?
When Gabriel came to announce Yahweh's favor to Mary it caused her to be deeply troubled. I love that The Passion Translation says, "bewildered over what this may mean for her." The announcement of Yahweh's favor left Mary bewildered over what it was going to cost her. It seems like she had a different perspective of favor than we do. She knew that to be anointed with great favor was going to cost her something. To walk in Yahweh's favor means to abandon the previous picture of what you thought life should look like. Are we willing to trust the goodness of Abba and his favor to that degree? Do we want favor or do we want what's comfortable and familiar?
The immediate effects of Mary hearing about God's favor left her deeply troubled and bewildered. But Gabriel responded to her with words that all of us need to hear.
But the angel reassured her, saying, "Do not yield to your fear, Mary, for the Lord has found delight in you and has chosen to surprise you with a wonderful gift. You will become pregnant with a baby boy, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be supreme and will be known as the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will enthrone him as King on the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign as King of Israel forever, and his reign will have no limit." (Luke 1:30-33)
Do not yield to your fear.
Yahweh has found delight in you.
He's chosen to surprise you with a wonderful gift.
The favor of Yahweh may come as a shock to you because it's not what you were expecting. It may not be what you had in mind. It may feel like you're losing control of the life you were certain of moments ago. But there is no need to yield to fear because you are still the Beloved of the Father and this favor is a wonderful gift that Yahweh has chosen to surprise you with. You can trust Him with your life. You are safe in His hands.
Yahweh's favor is coming to you today to release you from the low perspective you had of your life and lift you to the place He has anointed you to be. You will thrive in this unfamiliar favor of the Lord. But you will not enjoy it and may not even enter into it if you yield to your fear.
So many of us have been mentored by the spirit of fear. We've been taught by religion that fear is our friend and has our best interest in mind. That it will protect us from getting hurt. Religion lied. Fear will only keep you from entering Yahweh's favor. It will keep you from believing that He is truly good. It will keep you from seeing yourself the way that He sees you. Whatever you do, do not yield to your fear.
After Gabriel speaks to Mary's heart, he turns his attention to the child that she will deliver into the world. He draws her eyes to the Seed of Hope that she will carry. Mary, stare at Jesus! Gaze into the eyes of the King. This will drown out every other voice. Get a clear vision of Jesus. The life you thought you wanted can't compete with Him. Your fear will subside when you fix your eyes on the King.
The same question that was before Mary is before us. Will you yield to fear or will you yield to Yahweh's favor? Will you carry the Seed of Hope and honor it into maturity? Or will you abandon this great adventure to keep the life you already have?
Rejoice, beloved son and daughter, for the Lord is with you and you are anointed with great favor. Do you believe it?
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Worship: "Sound Mind" by Melissa Helser
Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place
Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!
