“She lives a charmed life,” a friend said regarding her daughter-in-law. “Everything just works out for her.” If a charmed life is easy, then what do you imagine a highly-favored-of-God life to be? Certainly it would be better than a charmed life.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was highly favored of God. Yet her life was difficult. Looking at her life should encourage us when life seems unfair and hard.

God chose Mary to be the mother of His only Son. Two times in the brief meeting with Gabriel the angel called Mary highly favored of God. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28).

If an angel called you highly favored, wouldn’t you expect some free “get out of jail pain” passes? If God picked you to carry His child, wouldn’t you expect some special treatment? Surely He’d at least prepare your fiancé. Continue Reading