Preparing for the Messiah - Day 15
Highly Favored
Luke 1:26–28 (KJV)
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said,
Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
Introduction
Nazareth was small.
Unremarkable.
A place most would never expect God to choose for something extraordinary.
And Mary was young, humble, unseen by the world —
yet fully seen by God.
Luke 1:26–28 invites us into a holy moment:
the angel Gabriel stepping into an ordinary village
to deliver an extraordinary message.
Mary wasn’t chosen because she was prominent, powerful, or perfect.
She was chosen because God delights in using humble hearts
to carry His greatest purposes.
Reflection
“Thou art highly favoured… the Lord is with thee.”
Mary’s favor wasn’t about status.
It wasn’t about strength.
It wasn’t about experience or worldly significance.
Her favor came from God’s presence.
God’s favor looks different than how the world defines it.
It’s not about ease, wealth, or recognition.
It’s about God being with you —
in the calling,
in the stretching,
in the unknown,
in the surrender.
Mary teaches us that God often moves into the hidden places of our lives,
the places no one else pays attention to,
and speaks His plans over us there.
And His presence brings courage for callings we never saw coming.
If Gabriel appeared to you today,
what would he speak into your ordinary moments?
Perhaps…
“God sees you.”
“You are not overlooked.”
“You are not alone.”
“The Lord is with thee.”
Mary’s story reminds us that God chooses the quiet-hearted,
the surrendered,
the available —
not the accomplished.
Today, consider where God might be inviting you to receive His favor
not as the world gives,
but as His presence gives.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for the example of Mary — humble, willing, and favored by Your presence.
Help me to recognize Your nearness in my ordinary days.
Quiet my fears, strengthen my faith,
and prepare my heart to say yes to whatever You ask.
Amen.
Journal Prompt
What does “God’s favor” mean to you?
Where in your life do you need to remember that the Lord is with you?
What area might God be calling you to trust Him more deeply, as Mary did?