IMPOSSIBLE - is God's favor really favor?
Mary, a virgin, stood before an angel, he informed her ... 'greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you.' (Luke 1:28) This information deposited much angst within her soul. Quickly the angel responded and spokei to innocence ... for nothing is impossible for God. (Luke 1:37)
The IMPOSSIBLE season of miracles arrived when Mary conceived. But, was she truly favored?
Mary celebrates in Luke 1:46 ... My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior. Note the division of 'spirit' from 'soul'. It is of interest to explore these words, because the babe she would give birth to came not to redeem the bodies of men but to redeem their souls.
Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign, behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and call His name Immanuel."
Those old festive days we celebrate are a living out of ancient prophecy, but is all 'favor' as we think?
Just consider young Mary's sudden predicament:
- shame
- pregnant out of wedlock
- heavily pregnant travelling to Bethlehem
- fleeing to Egypt with an infant
- seeing her son nailed to the cross
- witnessing His death, and so much more.
Doesn't really sound like favor, does it? Favor = blessing/ approval - doesn't seem to quite fit here?
Remember Elizabeth in Luke 1:25 as she reflected upon the first 5 months of pregnancy ... the Lord has done this for me ... in these days He has shown His favor and taken my disgrace.
But also consider her son John the Baptist:
- born in her old age
- lived in the desert
- abject poverty and
- decapitated by wickedness at 30.
Favor is not always favor, apparently. Divine 'favor' to my mind can begin where earth's favors taper off. 'Favor' is one of many Divine gifts to His children.
GOD'S GIFTS AND GOD'S CALL ARE IRREVOCABLE. (Romans 11:29)
ENJOY too ... MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - is God's signature!