This is what God says about you

As Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel begins, Scripture confirms these words were spoken by Gabriel, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women” (Luke 1:28)! As we read these words we marvel at this greeting that seems to set Mary apart. We may even think she is extremely special to God, after all through the angel He said she was “highly favored”. As you ponder on God’s heart toward Mary, consider this about yourself as His child.

There is one other place in Scripture that uses the word “highly favored”, but it must be interpreted in the Greek. “You are to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made you accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). “Accepted in the Beloved” is the same word in Greek for “Highly favored”, only this time it is speaking about you!

The first chapter of Ephesians describes God’s amazing love for you, how special you are to Him and His plan for your life. “In His love He chose you, (actually picked you out for Himself as His own) in Christ before the foundation of the world, that you should be holy and set apart for Him, blameless in His sight, before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4).

Let these words sink into you. Sear them into your memory, seal them in your heart; let them paint of picture of how much God loves you and His desire for you to be His very own child! Notice this is not associated with any recommendations that you must behave a certain way in order to receive the blessing. This is a gift of grace, of undeserved favor from a loving Father. There is no condition to receive the gift, only that you believe in His Son Jesus, as Lord and Savior.

“He destined you, planned in love for you, to be adopted as His own child through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will (because it pleased Him and was His kind intent)” (Ephesians 1:5).

You are a “highly favored” child of God, blameless and holy, and set apart for Him! Let this become your reality according to the truth of God’s Word. And just like Mary, “Blessed are you who believe, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told to you from the Lord” (Luke 1:45). How will believing this word change your life?