“They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years…
“And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord… Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord [and]… filled with the Holy Spirit…
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. He came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, 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?’
“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, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'” Luke 1:6-7,11-15,26-35,38
The angelic announcements came unexpectedly to both Zechariah and Mary. For the messages he spoke, the priest had been praying for years, and it seems that Mary had not prayed at all. Each gift of a child was all of the Almighty’s favor and blessing, according to His sovereign will. Yes, He heard and answered specific prayer, but He also moved according to His holy purpose in the absence of man’s seeking. Each mother humbly accepted His favor and trusted His promise. His divine work would magnify His sovereign possibilities, and in all there would be great rejoicing. (Luke 1:24-25,39-49)
Man is wired to desire and push and bring things about in our own strength. We also tend to think that if we really want something, it must be good, and granted. Conversely, God’s favor does not align with man’s effort, but with His sovereign will and grace. He hears both spoken and unspoken desires, and often acts in ways that seem contrary to both. His favor is borne of love and providence, and is to be received with humility and joy. (Deuteronomy 7:7-9; John 15:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Where do we sense God’s particular favor? Have we thanked Him? How can we better align desires and decisions to His sovereign will? What are we learning about Him in the process of dependence, and serving His will over our own? (Psalm 119:68; 145:17; Matthew 6:9-10; Luke 22:42; Romans 8:26-28; 12:2)
Lord, make me grateful for Your every grace and favor.
As the rain and snow 