From Fear to Faith Because of Favor
Luke 1:29-30 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
Story: Like Zacharias, Mary receives a surprise visit from the angel Gabriel. At first, Mary is perplexed, trying to figure out if this visit is about good or bad news. So Gabriel’s words in v. 30 are assuring that he brings good news to her – which he goes on to explain (v. 31-33). Amazingly, Mary has no fear as Gabriel speaks about what is to happen. She has no fear of the unknown at having a son by the Holy Spirit, which has never happened before. Nor fear about raising the Son of the Most High who will reign over the house of Jacob. Nor fear of what people think of being with child before she has been married. Instead, Mary is willing to obey and later magnifies the Lord (see 2:40-55).
My Prayer Response: Father, through this fear journal, You’ve been teaching me that faith replaces fear. Mary provides another example of this. Yet, what makes Mary respond as she does is Your favor or grace (v. 28, 30). So then I ask for this grace. I cannot develop such faith on my own doing or ability. To Your grace, how great a debtor I am constrained to be!
May God give you grace to fear and obey Him!