Scripture: Luke 1:28–30, 38
“Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women… Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”
Why Mary?
She was not the only virgin in Israel. She did not come from a prominent family, live in an important city or hold any recognised position. Yet, when God chose the woman who would give birth to Jesus, He chose Mary. This is what divine favour does. It selects one person from among many and gives that person an opportunity that qualifications, status or human connections could never provide.
Mary did not apply for the role; she did not know that she was being considered. She was living quietly in Nazareth when the angel Gabriel came to her and said, “Thou art highly favoured.” Before anyone saw anything remarkable in Mary, God had already chosen her.
You may be one among many people seeking the same opportunity. Others may have stronger connections, greater experience or more visible achievements. But God is not compelled to choose according to human expectations. When His favour rests upon a person, being unknown cannot disqualify them.
However, Mary’s favour was not given just to make her important; favour singled her out to be chosen as the mother of Jesus. God singled her out because He had an important responsibility to place in her hands.
The desire for favour must be carefully examined because many want favour that brings recognition, promotion and open doors. But can God trust you with favour that brings responsibility? Can He give you an opportunity that demands obedience, discipline and sacrifice?
Mary knew that becoming pregnant before her marriage to Joseph could damage her reputation. People might not believe her explanation, Joseph might reject her, yet she answered, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Her response reveals why favour could rest upon her. Mary was not only available to be chosen; she was willing to obey.
Do not ask God to single you out if you intend to use His favour only for personal advancement. The position, opportunity or influence God gives you must serve His purpose. Favour is not proof that you are better than others; it is trust placed in your hands.
Mary was called “blessed among women”, not blessed above women so that she could despise them. God distinguished her, but she remained humble. She understood that the honour belonged to God.
Perhaps you feel unnoticed because many people appear more qualified than you. Do not allow comparison to make you bitter or desperate. God knows where you are, and if He could choose Mary in Nazareth, He can bring your name forward wherever a decision is being made.
Do not end this devotional with only a quiet desire to be favoured. If doors have remained closed, if your name has repeatedly been omitted, or if effort has produced little recognition, it is time to cry to God for favour. Ask Him for the kind of favour that cannot be ignored, the favour that brings your name forward, causes you to be chosen among many and places you where His purpose for your life can be fulfilled.
Prayer
Father, baptize me with Your favour! Let Your favour rest heavily upon my life and change my story. Among many qualified people, let my name be called. Where others have been considered, let me be remembered. Where access has been denied, let favour open the door for me.
O God, let Your favour go before me. Let it speak where I cannot speak, enter places I cannot enter and answer questions I have not been invited to answer. Cause people who have the authority to help me to remember me and act on my behalf.
Every pattern of rejection, repeated disappointment and being overlooked, break now in the name of Jesus! I will not continue to labour without recognition or stand before open doors without entering. Let the season of being passed over come to an end.
Father, as Mary was chosen among many, single me out for Your purpose. Let my name receive divine attention. Mark me for opportunities that no struggle, connection or influence could secure. Place me where my gifts will be recognised and where my life will fulfil Your plan.
Baptize my work, my family, my career and everything connected to me with favour. Let favour distinguish the work of my hands. Let it turn rejection into acceptance, delay into progress and forgotten requests into answered testimonies.
Today, I come under the covering of uncommon favour. My name will be called for good. I will be selected among many. I will enter doors I could not open by my own strength. By the favour of God, I am remembered, accepted, preferred and brought forward, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen!
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