By Harry R. Jackson, Jr.
The Power of Favor
In Luke 1, the angel announced to Mary, “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” He tells her that she is favored among women. Mary responds, “Be it unto me, according to thy word.” This exchange demonstrates that God is the ultimate gentleman. He gives us a right of first refusal for difficult assignments. Mary could have said, “No thanks! Ask me again when the next great leader is supposed to be born.” Instead of denial, she answered the call and then was selected to do the job. Perhaps this kind of circumstance illustrates Jesus’ proverb, “Many are called but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16; 22:14).
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After saying “yes” to her mission impossible, Mary is qualified to experience the favor of God. The word favor means that she has found grace from God. It is important for us to remember that whenever God calls us to a special task, He gives a special grace to accomplish His will.
This grace has two dimensions according to Philippians 2:13 — envisioning power and accomplishing power. Paul says it this way, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him” (NLT). As we work under the direction and energy of God, He will also allow some strategic persons to recognize and assist in our God-given call. Yet, grace or favor does not give us bragging rights. It cannot be worn as a badge. Favor is not given to us for our own purposes. Favor is given to us for God’s purposes.
Prophetic Inconvenience
There were many Old Testament prophecies that pointed to the birth of Christ. These prophecies concerning the Messiah ultimately became proof for our generation that Jesus was the One we awaited. What a reassurance they are to us of the foreknowledge and faithfulness of God.
To the confused parents of Jesus, they were pushed circumstantially into these prophetic fulfillments. The need to pay taxes, no room at the inn, and a midnight dream given to Joseph all form part of the process God used to position the young couple for their unique role in Jesus’ life. The path they followed was irregular to them, yet it was a part of God answering prayers and keeping promises made to a previous generation.
In real estate it is often said that there are only three things that matter — location, location, location. In God’s kingdom, we must be at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing to experience the full blessing of God.