All About Him

“The angel Gabriel was sent from God… to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph… And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!.. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.. . You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’

“And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’

“And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God…’ 

“And Mary said,

“’My soul magnifies the Lord,
    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers.’” Luke 1:26-28,30-35,46-55a

The most startling of visitations turned to the greatest of honors for this young woman. The Lord’s favor? The bearer of God’s holy Son? Receptacle of an impossible miracle? Mary received the angel’s announcement as a humble servant, and knowing she was indeed now blessed forever for the great things God would do, all praise and honor was His. (Luke 1:45-49)

Every gift, every anointing, every impossibility made possible is from and to and all about Jesus. God is founder and perfecter of faith, author and finisher of every good thing. He is mighty and merciful, visiting those who fear Him with gracious undeserved favor. He bestows gifts, He ennobles, He nourishes, He grants talent, courage, and fruitfulness. He it is who owns all riches, strengthens the weak, dethrones the proud and raises the lowly. Dare we ascend the throne? (1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 12:2)

Where do we take smug credit for achievements or successes? Have blessings become rights, and gifts become earned wages in our warped, self-inflated mindsets? May it never be that we think too highly of ourselves, or steal even an iota of the Lord’s glory. If we be favored or remembered, it is all because of Him. In any hint or touch of self-glory, will we choose to say, ‘How can this be? From and for Thee.’ (Isaiah 48:11; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17)

Lord, identify and dethrone any idol I keep. Captivate me with Your infinite worth and worthiness, so every aspect of my life is all about You and brings You glory.