December 19
Scripture of the day: "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.' 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. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.'" Luke 1:26-33
Thought of the day: God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth to deliver a message to Mary. Gabriel greeted her with the words, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." She was "perplexed" at his greeting. The Greek word translated as perplexed could be accurately worded more strongly as greatly agitated and troubled. The angel went on to tell her not to be afraid ... that she had found favor with God ... and that she would bear a son named Jesus.
Challenge of the day: Mary was more troubled by the words of Gabriel than by the appearance of Gabriel. Which would trouble you more? Mary was perplexed that God favored her and that He was with her. She didn't realize that she was so special. Truly righteous people are not proud of their righteousness ... or even conscious of it. How would you react if Gabriel appeared and greeted you as he greeted Mary?
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