The Year Of The Lord's Favor Series

Jesus came to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor – God was going to do that which resulted in a great and lasting joy for His people. And there is a close connection between God’s presence, and knowing God’s favor, and therefore the joy, that Scripture speaks of. Listen to the angel’s words to Mary when he announces to her that she will give birth to the Messiah. “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”” (Luke 1:26–28, NIV84) Why is Mary highly favored? Not just because she was chosen to give birth to the Messiah, but because the Lord was with her. And later on we are told that, because the Lord was with her, that she rejoices in God her “Savior.” Joy is the outflow of being with the Jesus.

Brothers and sisters – we too are highly favored, for the Lord is with us, in the person of Jesus. He is called “Immanuel,” meaning, “God with us,” and that is cause for great joy! Therefore my prayer for each of us this advent is that we would know the joy that is Jesus. For His is a lasting joy that withstands the hard times in life, which endures when happiness has fled, and which is God’s gift to us in the midst of a broken world filled with trials and troubles and sorrows and griefs of all kinds. So hear now the words of Jesus, words He spoke to His disciples so long, as He says this, “I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22, NIV84) The Lord has come, and the Lord is coming again, may the joy of the Lord be yours!

Let’s pray ….