Mary was the most favored among women in God's sight, in the exact center of God's perfect will, fulfilling precise prophecy, performing a crucial task in history, yet because of her association with Jesus...was perplexed, fearful, and dismayed by an "impossible hallucination", was scorned and rejected for an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, had to go horseback riding and wilderness camping the day before giving birth, gets awakened afterward by a herd of noisy, nosey, smelly shepherds, and then a week later, because of her husband's nightmare, has to flee in the middle of the night to a foreign country.

2Ti 3:11 ...persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me. 12 And, all indeed that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

1. To wean us from this world

1Jo 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him 16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world 17 And the world passes away, and its lust: but he that does the will of God abides for ever.

Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

2. To remind us that this world is not all there is

Ac 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. 13 But rejoice, seeing ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

3. To refine and strengthen our faith

1Pe 1:6 In this ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through various temptations. 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though tried with fire, might be found to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take: [when] he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

4. To purify our character

Jas 1:3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith works patience. 4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing

2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure...

5. To cause us to experience more grace (temporally) {dependence/deepen relationship}

2Co 12:9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Ro 8:35 What shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword.

6. To cause us to experience more grace (eternally)

Mt 5:10 Blessed [are] they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Ro 5:3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; Ro 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope. 5 And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. Jas 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.

Questions for Discussion/Reflection/Response:

1. Why did Mary and Joseph have such a difficult time while doing God's perfect will?

2. If you were Mary or Joseph, what would have been your response to the circumstances?

3. Why does God treat His most favored saints with such tough situations?

4. What have you found helpful when your "reservations are cancelled"?

5. Is the Hebrews 12 discipline always a result of sin?