Encouragement

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Path Of Favor (Luke 1:26-31)

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having coming in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women! But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus.”

When the angel Gabriel appeared in Mary’s home and spoke to her, she must have wondered whether she was asleep and dreaming! Gabriel had been gazing upon the face of God, standing before His throne, just prior to coming to Mary, and he probably filled the house with the glory of heaven! Mary must have been mesmerized, unable to look away but also unable to stand the brightness from Gabriel’s face! She was probably shaking in her sandals, and just when she thought it was time to wake up from this dazzling dream, Gabriel spoke to her, saying: “Rejoice, highly favored one”!

Gabriel’s words may have shocked Mary, but they were an expression of God’s heart for her, that she was loved, cherished and favored. The different dictionaries define the word “favored” as being preferred, approved, and recommended. Out of all the young women of all time and all places, God preferred Mary as the one who would bear the “Word made flesh”. Even before she was born, she was chosen because God had approved of her. When teachers or parents have a special fondness for one of their children above the others, we talk about favoritism. The ‘favored’ child may have special benefits or privileges, and an unusually positive response from the person in charge of them. This was what God extended upon Mary, and this is the special blessing we too enjoy as His children.

I believe God is expressing His heart to you today as He did to Mary. You may be feeling discouraged and despondent, but Abba wants you to walk in joy, because the truth is that you are highly favored! You are preferred, approved, and recommended because you are abiding in Jesus and Jesus is abiding in you. The day you placed your hand in His and received the absolute forgiveness of sins, you stepped on to a new path, the path of favor. You became a joint heir with Jesus Christ, and a part of the family of God. This means that all the favor that is upon Jesus is also flowing upon you. Whenever the Father looks at you, He sees Jesus and His glory resting on you. There is a powerful, positive, warmth flowing down upon your life from the heart of the Father who loves and cherishes you as He loves and cherishes Jesus. It is His favor!

Dear friend, know today that you can truly rejoice because you are highly favored. The only reason why your life may seem to be such a struggle is that you have not fully recognized the reality of your special place in God’s heart. The enemy can have a victory in our lives only as long as the Truth of the

Father’s extreme love and favor is hidden from our understanding. God wants us to walk instead in the revelation that we have been set apart for His love and favor, and that we are recipients and conduits of His unlimited presence and His unlimited blessing. You have a very special place in His heart because He loves you and chose you to be His very own. His favor is resting upon your life. He has wonderful plans for you and He will make these clear to you, just like He did with Mary.
So rejoice, highly favored one! You are stepping into your season of privilege and preference! You are stepping into the path of favor. Begin to see and expect God’s favor in every area of your life, and this is exactly what your experience will be, because it is the truth that God loves and favors His kids above those outside the family. There are upgrades in store for you. God’s hand is upon you. The struggle is over because favor is opening doors!

I pray today that the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to see the fullness of the Father’s favor and love. I pray that every deception of the enemy will be broken off your life, and that you will walk in your inheritance as a much loved child of the King, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. May you begin to see the favor of God in every aspect of your life and work, and know that you are so highly favored, in Jesus’ mighty name, amen!

Minoli Haththotuwa, 08 December 2014
www.risingonwings.org

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