FAVOR

HAVING GOD'S IRRESISTIBLE AFFECTION

"The Lord is full of loving favor and pity, slow to anger and great in loving kindness."  

                          - Psalm 145:8 - New Life Translation

         King James says, "The Lord is gracious..." Actually the word gracious means "disposed to show favor."  Over in the New Testament, it tells us we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6).  Here the word "accepted" means to pursue or to compass about with favor.  We have not just been accepted, but greatly and overwhelmingly honored by having his grace and blessings overshadow us, even surround us on every side. This goes right along with what David said in Psalm chapter five: "For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield" (Psa. 5:12).  Sometimes there is a tendency to forget how truly favored we are and we let such a wonderful thought escape our thinking.  You ought to wake up every day and realize that the wind of heaven is blowing your way, and God himself wants to be right in the center of everything you do.  Not just because he wants to be acknowledged as God, but because he wants to express his loving kindness and tender mercies to you in every possible way.

We should live with the expectation that at any given moment the favor of God could light upon us with such an irresistible force that we free this regal presence paving the way for us to be blessed.  

         The Greek word for "grace" is CHARIS.  It means that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness and loveliness.   It is really the display of God's kindness toward us so that we become recipients of his divine influence upon our soul.   As a believer, we have a covenant right to expect this display of kindness to show up every day of our lives.  We should live with the expectation that at any given moment the favor of God could light upon us with such an irresistible force that we free this regal presence paving the way for us to be blessed.  In other words, our hearts and minds need to start seeing God's grace as a supernatural embrace of his affection for us.

         Think back to the Old Testament when God gave Israel the list of blessings and curses. He told them if they would observe and to do all his commandments that he would set them on high above all the nations of the earth.  Then he said, "And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God" (Deut. 28:1-2).  Stop and think for just a moment what that would mean, in a literal sense, for God to bless you so greatly that his blessings would come on you and overtake you?  To be overtaken implies something catching up with you, overwhelming you, and then proceeding beyond you.  In other words, it means that there would have to be more blessings than you were able to experience at one time. So much so, that they would have to go ahead of you and wait for you to arrive at a place where you could take them in.

        There is a place you hold in God's heart that is personal, intimate, exclusive, and unique.  It is a place where he delights in you. It is where his face shines upon you and he becomes gracious to you.  That is something very special that we should strive to see every day. And there are a few things we can do to assure this happening.  First of all, we have to position ourselves for his favor. In other words, we should expect it.  We should do what he tells us to do to secure it. For instance, we should diligently seek after things that are good.  Proverbs eleven says, "He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor" (Pro. 11:27).  Over in the very next chapter, Solomon said: "A good man obtaineth favor of the Lord" (Pro. 12:2).  Our heart should always choose to do what is good, and to seek after what is good.  

         We are also told to never let mercy or truth forsake us (Pro. 3:3).  That certainly is an interesting thought, isn't it?  After all, doesn't the word teach us that he "will NEVER leave us nor FORSAKE us?" (Heb. 13:5).  Yet, there are places where we can step over into that it is not so much that mercy and truth are forsaking us, but rather that we tie them up from being able to do for us what we need them to do.  The choices we make to seek good draws his mercy and truth and that is where favor is released. That is why it goes on to read: "if we bind them about our neck, then we will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man" (Pro. 3:3, 4). In other words, we will have God's irresistible affection at every turn!  So today, whatever you do make it a priority to seek good, and watch what happens.  Doors will open.  Blessings will come. Opportunities that will overwhelm you will show up.  All because of the favor of God blowing the wind of heaven's affection your way!

PRAYER

Father, today I thank you for your favor.  I thank you that you desire to bless me coming in and going out.  You want to lavish me with your love and goodness to such a degree that it overtakes me. So I choose today and purpose in my heart to seek good, to do good, and to let that good work you started in me live and work its will through me.  In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

CONFESSION

I have God's favor shining down upon me.  His Spirit goes before me.  His presence walks beside me.  His loving kindness overshadows me.  His angels are encamped all around me.  Underneath me are his everlasting arms. Goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life.  Therefore, I am completely encircled with the favor of God.  I am the head and not the tail.  I am above only and not beneath!

DEFINING MOMENTS...

When you understand that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ has been lavishly bestowed upon you, it makes you feel special.  There is nothing that your Father in heaven wouldn't do for you because of what Jesus already did on your behalf.  That is why the Bible says, "that you might know the things that are freely given you of God" (1 Cor. 2:12).  Or, "How shall he not with him also freely give us all things" (Rom. 8:32). You are already blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3).  Not because of anything you have done, but because of his own mercy and grace.  You are truly favored whether you realize it our not. Now let that favor rest upon you today, and be blessed! 

In  His Grace,

Pastor David

Faith Harvest Church