Bread Crumbs – Devotions for Life

Favored by God

Luke 1:26-30 

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

When I was ordained as a Minister, I was scared to death.  Halfway through the Ordination Service, I became overwhelmed by the immensity of the task before me.  I realized that I was not qualified for the task for which God had chosen me.  If I had been able, I would crawled under the pews to the back of the sanctuary and ran away.

For Gabriel to tell Mary not to be afraid while at the same time telling her that she had found favor with God seems contradictory to me.  

I am still awe struck that God places upon me the responsibility to preach the truth of His Word.  Every Sunday before heading to the Sanctuary to preach I pray a simple prayer:  “Lord, I am not worthy to preach your Word, please speak and work through me today.”  Thankfully, God does His work quite well.  

I understand Mary’s anxiety.  

My soul has always been troubled whenever the Lord has favored me into a situation to be His shepherd and His servant.  I tell friends that as a Pastor, I am an over-promoted sheep.

It is the promise of two New Testament scriptures which sustain me through those times when God calls me to do His work.  

In Matthew 28:20 Jesus tells us to serve Him and promises, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In Hebrews 4:16, God tells us that as we serve Him we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

God has always kept these two promises when he has favored me into His service.  He will do the same for you.  Do not be afraid!

Prayer:  Father in Heaven forgive me when I am overwhelmed and tremble in fear when you favor me into your service.  Help me to yield to your presence and power working through me.  Amen.