Daily Devotions
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31
What God was about to do flies in the face of all expectations!
He picks a virgin and informs her that she will bear God’s child. What an affront to the religious leaders and to the rulers of the day. Surely God would have chosen someone in their family for such a glorious task. But no! He picks a humble girl—a nobody!
What’s more, it’s unnatural! A virgin! Whoever heard of a virgin giving birth? That’ll be talked of and against throughout the centuries. And it has been talked about and discounted by theologians, historians, and news commentators ever since.
What boldness on God’s part to pick Mary. Yet God often chooses the common or lowly or humble to receive His blessings and be called to serve Him.
How thankful we, too, can be. God does not choose us because of any merit or greatness in us … He chooses us by His grace and will. In fact, God chose Mary to give birth to Jesus so that in her Child we could be lifted up to be God’s children.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for sending Your Son to be born of Mary and to be our Saviour. As You chose her, so You have chosen me, though I have in no way deserved Your grace. Amen.
My Bold Action for Today: Help someone else see that God loves them and sent His Son for them.
Rev. Jorma Tuomisto