Day 1: Blessed

Mary - Blessed

By Alison Emery

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38 (NLT))

In a small, insignificant village in northern Israel, an incredible visitor appears to a young teenager with an exclamation and a promise: “Rejoice, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” This visitor, Gabriel, is an angel of the Most High God, and Mary is an ordinary girl living in a forgotten place. What could be more unexpected?

Even more extraordinarily, Gabriel explains to Mary that she will give birth to a son because she has found favor with God. This son, Jesus, will be conceived through the Holy Spirit - born as the holy Son of God.

This is overwhelming news for anyone, much less an uneducated, impoverished, unwed teen - one who had been promised in marriage as a virgin and whose pregnancy would be grounds for breaking the engagement and even public shame in her culture.

Is this what God’s favor looks like?

Mary’s life didn’t exhibit the hashtag “blessed” that’s touted by our culture. She didn’t have great wealth or an advanced degree. She didn’t live in a big house, drive a luxury car, or take high-end vacations. She didn’t move in the right circles, have a certain job title, or amass thousands of followers on social media.

Yet Mary’s response to this astounding news reveals why God favors her. Mary says to Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

Mary responds to this challenging situation with humility. Not complaint. Not insecurity. Not fear. Not even pride about being the “chosen one.” Instead, she identifies herself as a servant.

Mary’s cousin Elizabeth later says to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women,” explaining that Mary is blessed because she believed that the Lord would act in accordance with His promise. (Luke 1:42, 45 (NLT))

God’s blessing rested upon Mary because of her humble spirit. A humility that led her to believe, trust, and obey, even when her obedience would surely cost her nearly everything and alter her life forever.

Oftentimes we’re tempted to define blessing in terms of status or prosperity. Based on what Mary experienced and her posture toward God, how does this change your view of blessing or favor in your own life?