Highly Favored

Once I read an interview that was given to a reporter regarding a man who was quite accomplished in his life.  When asked why he felt he had been so successful he stated it was because he always felt that he was his father’s favorite child.  He then went on to quickly add that the reporter should not let his siblings, who also were quite accomplished, know because they had always thought that they were their father’s favorite and he just didn’t want to shatter their dreams, seeing that he really was.

In Luke 1:28-30 we read:  “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, highly favored, the Lord is with thee:  blessed you are among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:  for you have found favor with God” (KJV).

Mary was troubled at the saying and Mary’s fear is sandwiched in between “highly favored” and “you have found favor”, so, why are you fearful Mary?  That is what the angel is saying.  Mary, you have found favor, in fact, you are highly favored, so what is there to fear?

So I need to just ask you a few questions: Are you a child of the Heavenly Father?  (No, not every one is His child, only those that have been bought by the blood of Christ can call God their Heavenly Father.)  But if you have committed your life to God and accepted the sacrifice that was paid at the cross, then you are quite simply His child, and once His child, you are one of His favorites.

He does not have any “un”favorite, or “non”favorite children.  Your Heavenly Father only has favorites.  Now, if being your father’s favorite means something sick and twisted to you, for that I am sorry.  But that is not the true love of a doting, loving father.  Being a favorite means that you are always on your father’s mind.  That as he thinks of you fondly, he lays aside his own needs and wants and is always looking out for what is best for you.  Never wanting any harm to come to you and doing all in his power to make your life the best it can possibly be.  At times this may indeed mean he has to discipline you and tell you candidly and forcefully that your behavior is unacceptable, but always with your best interest at heart. 

So think on it, you are one of God’s favorite children, and when He thinks of you He can’t help but have a smile tug at the corners of His lips and a twinkle light up His eye.  So, what do you have to fear?  When you are highly favored by God, let me ask you again, what do you have to fear?

No matter what tomorrow brings, no matter what this year brings, no matter what your life brings, God is speaking to you just as He did through the angel to Mary.   Ah, no, (your name inserted here) you have nothing to fear for you are highly favored.