As the rain and snow

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!’” Revelation 12:7-12

With the world’s hustle and bustle and the swirl of holiday activity, it is easy to neglect what has been promised and what’s going on today in the heavenlies. Satan the accuser does not let up, and would deceive us from realizing the potent truths and significance of Christ’s coming. There will be a day when all Jesus came to accomplish will be revealed in glorious full, and knowing these already-assured realities should have us, therefore, rejoicing now.

Jesus was born as the promised One; therefore, rejoice! He lived on earth as man, becoming like us so we could become like Him; therefore, rejoice! He carried the weight of all our sin on the cross, and vanquished it and all its cruel fallout forever; therefore, rejoice! He rules at the right hand of God the Father, ever interceding for us; therefore, rejoice! He has conquered the power of the enemy, and will one day remove his presence forever; therefore, rejoice! And He is coming again to take us to be with Him for all eternity; therefore, rejoice!

As we celebrate His first coming, how do these assurances fortify daily living? How can His righteous authority comfort in present injustices, His sure salvation give balm in unrest and guard against doubt? What heavenly promises will we take hold of today, therefore rejoice?

“O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

“O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.

O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.

O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death’s abode.

O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.” ~J.M. Neale (1851)

Father, may I hold Your promises in sure hope and expectancy, rejoicing in present and future realities, to Your glory.

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them… Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all… Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:14,16-17,19-21

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal… 

“Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For… your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:19-20,31-33

The Holy Spirit inspired practical admonitions for the New Testament writers. Knowing well the heart of men, He identified what comes naturally, then issued clear instructions for the contrary. The Lord clearly doesn’t want His children to settle for inborn status quo, but to strive for the contrary holy He’s making them to be. (1 Peter 1:13-16)

When left to ourselves, we gravitate to selfish living- decisions, attitudes, impulses. Doing what comes naturally is usually an affront to God. Consistent exposure to God’s word saturates mind and heart with the opposite: His will for His children. The better we know the Bible, the more intimately we know Him, the more familiar we are with His statutes and promises, and the more acutely aware we are of where and how we wander astray. Aligning desire and impulses with His takes discernment and Spirit-fueled discipline. His word is powerful to pierce and expose, but will have its way only as we yield to its parameters. Christ died in the flesh so we could die to its passions. (2 Kings 22:8-11; 23:1-3; Nehemiah 8:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 4:1-2)

How often are we availing ourselves of God’s pure word and washing? Is this a rote exercise or a thoughtful practice? When we come eager and willing to be changed, it will have potent sway.

What natural but godless motivations or behavior is the Lord pointing out today? Are we discerning enough to recognize them, and courageous enough to confess and renounce? If repentance involves turning around, what will we instead deliberately put on as a correct ‘contrary’ that reflects God’s character, that honors Him and others? How are we practically applying what the scriptures teach? In what situations do we need to?

Lord, give me resolve and courage to name what displeases You and to joyfully do the contrary, by Your grace and for Your glory.

“King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?  And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O Lord God!  And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant.  For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.  There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you…  And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things..?  And you made your people… to be your people forever, and you became their God. ²³ And now, O Lord, let the word that you have spoken… be established… and your name will be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts… is Israel’s God,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you… Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. O Lord, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O Lord, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.'” 1 Chronicles 17:16-27

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5

David was the youngest of eight sons, and grew up feeling small: the least of the family, the lone shepherd in wide pastures keeping sheep from big animals, the speck under the stars, the boy against the giant. His early years awakened his awe at the infinite greatness of God, and it never failed to humble him in wonder and gratitude. Because of his security under God’s wide grace and promises, he found confidence in their ongoing communion. (1 Samuel 16:10-13; 17:4-7,12-14,33-37)

In the grand scheme of the universe, we are all small, dots in a crowd, dashes on a timeline who serve a mighty, large God. If we begin to puff with pomp, careless in comfort or materially successful, it is good to contemplate Him to remind ourselves of our place. God knows us. He is God and we are not. All we have and are comes from Him; we are merely stewards of time and resources and spiritual gifts to be employed in His service. (Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:15-17)

How can we more effectively humble ourselves and magnify the Lord? What rights, what push, what demands or self-glory in us need to decrease so He can increase? When and how are we familiarizing ourselves with His great gifts and promises, and growing in humble, dependent confidence of faith? Every claim on His greatness exalts His glory. (John 3:30)

Lord, in attitude and action, may I ever lift high Your greatness.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:8-20

Rugged shepherds and a heavenly angel. Thick darkness and the glory of the Lord shining. Night’s silence and joyful proclamation. Fear against promise. The unexpected and the eternal plan. The Savior as a baby. Christ the Lord swaddled in a manger. Hushed wonder and a multitude of angels praising. Stunned fright to ‘Let us go and see.’ The contrasts that holy night were stark and intentional. Such is Jesus the perfect Savior breaking into the hopeless estate of man, His complete otherness entering man’s squalor to redeem.

Most of our days we wander the fields. Intentions are horizontal, pastures marked out, sights limited. We settle for life in the low lands in the company of amblers. And Christ Jesus breaks in to interject joy-filled hope, to stun us with His beauty, to lift our gaze. He bridges the gap in our existences to make real the pretend, to offer purpose and fulfillment. Are we looking, listening? How do we respond? (2 Corinthians 5:21)

How does Jesus stand in contrast to our way of thinking and planning? How non-negotiable and set are our schedules? Do we make time to leave our grind to consider Him, to wonder and harken and praise, to explore possibilities with the Holy One? How might we lessen the gap between selfish temporary efforts and eternal pursuit? What are we doing to cooperate with the Spirit’s sanctifying presence by working out His glorious salvation? (Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 3:1-4)

“Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, align my life with Yours in glorious contrast to the world.

“On that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord…

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!..
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles and judgments!..

Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
    Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth…
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
    and let them say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!’
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
    before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

“Blessed be the Lord,..
    from everlasting to everlasting!

“Then all the people said, ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 16:7-10,12,23-34,36

On that day, the tent had been pitched, the people gathered, the priests and Levites consecrated. On that day, musicians and singers were assembled, charged with much rejoicing, and sacrifices were offered. On that day, the day of homecoming, the day of glad mercy for a second chance at transporting the ark of God’s presence to the tent according to God’s command- the right way- on that day, David the king saw fit to appoint thanksgiving. All was from God, and all gratitude and praise was to Him. (1 Chronicles 15:3,11-16,25-28; 16:1-2)

Ah, the mercies of the Lord are indeed many and vast. His disciplines for wrongdoing do not disqualify us, but awaken fresh gratitude for grace, and open the way to broader understanding of His love. When we grasp His welcome, and approach as He prescribes, we want to prepare, we want consecration, we want to offer ourselves and more, we want to sing and make merry because He is worthy of it all.

How do we consecrate and prepare ourselves to gather with the Lord? Have we deliberately appointed thanksgiving a regular part each day’s worship? For what miracles, judgments, strength, and marvelous works have we praised Him today? What deeds and attributes of the good and glorious God are we making known, and where?

“God our Maker doth provide 
for our wants to be supplied; 
Lord of harvest, grant that we 
wholesome grain and pure may be.
All the world is God’s own field, 
fruit unto His praise we yield. 
come to God’s own temple, come; 
 Come, ye thankful people, home.” ~Henry Alford (1844)

Lord, keep me ever singing, always thanksgiving.

 

“In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar,.. the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“’The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
    and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God…”’

“As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them, ‘I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire…’

“So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.” Luke 3:1-6,15-16,18

Announced in the angel’s astounding prophecy to his father Zechariah, John the baptizer had a unique purpose: he would be great, filled with the Spirit of God, and go before the Lord Jesus to prepare a people for Him. Raised with this understanding, he was attuned to the voice of the Lord and ready to obey. When God spoke, he responded. The one prepared for his calling prepared people for Christ’s coming. (Luke 1:5-17)

As the Lord created His world in preparation for mankind, so He goes before us and sets us in time and place to be sanctified and to spread His light. All of God’s children have particular purpose for our season and setting. We are called to be prepared ourselves that we might serve the Lord’s intent of paving the way of life for others with His gospel. (Genesis 1:1-28; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 17:26-27; Philippians 2:15; 1 Peter 2:9)

John’s first admonition was to repentance, which would lead to forgiveness which leads to gospel hope and living. It is easy in our frenzied days of input and output to neglect this humbling of ourselves in genuine confession and deliberate repentance. When are we taking time to consider God’s holiness and admit where we have fallen short, dishonored Him with worry, procrastination, impatience, selfishness? The power of Christ’s forgiveness is borne out in renouncing that sin and turning from it to energized righteousness. Are we as serious in prayer about earnest, thoughtful, heart-wrenching repentance as we are about reciting our list of needs and wants?

We might block the way of God’s daily preparing of us by packing our schedules with responsibilities and distractions. Where do we push out the Lord by busyness, or willful refusal to align with His guidance and insisting on our own way? What petty or persistent sins litter our lives to make Him unwelcome? If we are resistant to His cleansing and refreshment, we will be of little use for others.

Once emptied of self and filled with His Spirit, how are we spreading His gospel? How are my words, work, and love preaching the good news? Where will I proclaim it today? (John 3:30)

Lord, help me take up Your call to be prepared and to prepare others for the work of Your glorious gospel.

“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

“Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.” Luke 22:1-6

“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me… It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread.’ So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas… After he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly…’ So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.” John 13:21,26-27,30

Once Satan entered into Judas, this outlier disciple got to itching in a crowd. The more he was around those whose hearts grew warmer every day with Jesus, his cold and hardening heart grew ill at ease. Almost unimaginably, yet providentially, our Savior invited him and the others to join Him in the most intimate of Passover suppers. He even warned of temptation, of Satan‘s pressure on Peter. But Judas chafed at Jesus’s eyes, His attention, and departed into the night. Bent on rebellious treason against the King of kings, he preferred the dark, even cloaking his betrayal behind a kiss. (Luke 22:19-23,31-32,40,46-48; John 13:21-30)

Rebels against God do not like the light. They want to do their dirty work in cognito, in the absence of a crowd and notice, behind closed doors. But by God’s common grace, a crowd of a different sort can drive sinners to despair and repentance. A heart bent on separation from God can be flooded with misery, guilt, and conviction, as much as we want to push them down, and away. We may close off our ears or lock the latch on our secret darknesses, but the love of God pursues relentlessly. The Lord deals with individuals away from the crowd of the world to draw them to Himself. (Matthew 27:3-5; John 16:8)

In what situations do we try to hide, to escape notice from people around us, or the Lord, in order to avoid accountability or conviction? Are there activities we would rather not display, words we would rather not be heard, practices at work or conversations that we prefer to keep private? The Lord honors propriety, but uncovers shame to make things right. Are there places that need to come into the open to allow His cleansing?

What cloud of witnesses and crowd of encouragers has the Lord graciously provided to point out misdeeds and inspire our walk? How willing are we to seek them out and heed their admonitions? With whom do we need to speak truth in love to promote righteousness, reconciliation, healing? (Ephesians 4:15; Hebrews 12:1-3)

Lord, keep me pure in the private place and potent in the crowds You provide.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

“I the Lord do not change; therefore you are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” “Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world.'” John 1:4-5,9; 8:12

“Our Lord Jesus Christ,.. dwells in unapproachable light.” 1 Timothy 6:14,16

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

In the luff and constant changes of our spinning world, rife with tensions and insecurities, it is hard to comprehend pure constancy. Darkness looms, evil lurks, and deception and sin-tainted perception cloud what we desire to see clearly. Against these themes of shadow there reigns One who is unadulterated light- ever shining, never dimming, ever brilliant, never waning. The God of glory and truth neither owns nor casts any shadows. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

It fortifies our souls to be familiar with this constant Light. Contemplating the Lord’s unchanging greatness, power, and radiant presence strengthens resolve when convictions are challenged, and steadies us when the culture, or conflict, tug at our anchor. Spending time in the splendor of God’s light exposes those tendencies that are awry, warms affections for Him and His ways, and strengthens our determination to obey.

When the dusk of doubt or anxiety fall, come to the soothing light of Jesus! He who never changes is present underneath, above, and all around, upholding us and lifting our heads. When consternation over a decision made or needing to be made roils within, soak in His light! The One whose lamp guides our steps will confirm them to His ends. When temptation broods, its deceptive fingers luring us to confusion, weakness, or darkness, turn away from the shadows to the clear truth and power of the Conquering King! When fears lurk, shading circumstances or an unknown future with gloom, cast them off and rest in the promises where no shadow lies! (Psalm 3:3; 90:1-2; 119:105; Deuteronomy 33:27; Joshua 1:5)

Where have we entertained shadows in our thinking and turned to worry, brooding, or complaint? What frivolous activities or thoughtless expenditures have been tarnished by restlessness, envy, or discontent, causing us to betray our first love for Christ? How have we settled, gradually or unknowingly, into the shadowlands of spiritual complacency, neglecting assembling together and preferring and honoring and serving others? When will we break out of the shadows once for all, and bring our selfishness, greed, idolatry, any dark habits, into God’s wonderful, grace-filled light? (Revelation 2:4-5)

“Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, 
Lord unto me.” ~Thomas Chisolm (1923)

Lord, please illumine my heart, soul, and mind to love Your radiance and live with no shadows, to Your praise and glory.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to visit orphans and widows.., and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. If a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?.. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom..? But you have dishonored the poor man…

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted.” James 1:27-2:6,8-9

“The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Holding the faith bears out in all areas of life. James urges his readers demonstrate authentic faith within by practical living that honors God and His people. He points out how inner attitudes manifest in outer behavior, that pure and undefiled religion is displayed in the ways we treat others.

The world grabs and plays with our senses in a myriad of ways, often confusing purity with emotional attraction, righteousness with euphoria. We’re drawn to please the senses and stroke our own feelings of importance to the detriment of Christ-like perception and genuine care. To prefer anyone because of appearance is to discount the true worth of God’s image-bearers. We distort reality when we use false measures, a ploy that delights Satan and disparages God and His people. Is this our subconscious default, to be so taken by the world that it dictates our treatment of others?

Where do these warnings pierce? Is the Spirit poking a familiar practice we’d rather not admit? What are we to do when we recognize our dishonor, and pride is exposed? Humbling ourselves before the Almighty and acknowledging the truth of things is a healthy start. (Genesis 1:26-27; Deuteronomy 7:7-8; Matthew 5:43-45; John 13:34; Ephesians 2:8–9; James 4:4-10)

How might we look more deeply into Jesus’s eyes, and through Him see ourselves and those around us? What false superiority and arrogance does His holiness expose? Where are we making cursory assessments that affect how we treat or cause us to debase other people? What prejudices do we carry, what caustic criticism or condescension has ingrained itself in our attitudes and actions? When will we name these affronts to God and begin to replace them with renewed thinking and specific blessing to all made in His image? (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:5,12-14)

Lord, may I honor You by honoring those You’ve made, thus lavishing them with the infinite love and worth with which You lavish me.

“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.