Why Fear and Favor Often Go Together

Please read the following from Luke chapter 1: 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”  29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

We often see in the Bible that the words “fear” and “favor” go together.  Please note I did not say “fear” and “flavor”.  I definitely fear the flavor of liver but I digress….When God steps into a person’s life in a supernatural way, either through an angelic message or by the written word, fear is a natural, human response.  Our first reaction is “how can this be?” or “How can I do this?”  The key for us is to set aside our natural reaction of fear and let God replace that with a supernatural feeling of trust and obedience.  That’s what Mary does.  She has definitely found favor with God.  God has chosen her for a special assignment.  She is willing to trust God and believe His angelic message.

Have you experienced any “fear” in your relationship with God lately?  If not, it could be because you are not listening to what He is saying.  God is at work in this world and He is looking to plug you and I into His activity in a significant way; even a way that might cause us fear or trepidation as we consider the task He has given to us.  But, like Mary; we must follow through and when we do, we go from fearful to faithful and that is a great transition!