"Fear not!" Those words, spoken by the angel Gabriel to a young girl named Mary, are followed with words of incredible value. "For you have found favor with God." With those words, any fear of judgment or condemnation was assuaged. This was a message of grace, and God's grace banishes the fear of judgment.
Those around us need to know there is favor to be found with God. Instead, they spend their lives hearing words of condemnation. They are told they aren't good enough and are made to feel they are not loved. They need to know the favor—the grace found in Jesus.
Mary's response to the angel's message comes in a song she sings to her cousin, Elizabeth. Her song begins very personally with, "all generations will call ME blessed," but it ends with a blessing for all. God "has filled the hungry with good things."
Are you hungry for God's grace? Are you starving to know his favor? Then, Mary's song is for you.
