Favor
This is an important concept to the Lord. He has favor upon those He chooses. His favor is usually directly related to my pursuit of Him. His favor is also usually directed at those who ask for it too.
Jeremiah was speaking for the Lord to the people who were being taken in exile. The Lord made it clear that He alone had the ability to build up or take down. He fully intended to take down the wicked among His people. He fully intended to protect and provide for those of His people on whom His favor rested. Check this out…
6 My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. (Jeremiah 24:6-7 NIV)
I would rather have the favor of God than any other possession on earth.
I would rather have the favor of God than the applause of countless people
I would rather have the favor of God than all the riches this world offers.
I would rather have the favor of God more than anything!
The favor of God resting on my life is a huge game changer. He pours Himself into me. His Spirit rests on me. His Spirit directs my decisions. His Presence is coursing through my entire being.
I have prayed for favor from God is dire circumstances.
I have prayed for favor from God in joyful times too.
I looked up the word “favor” in the Bible and found 158 references. Here is a sampling. Check this out…
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12 NIV)
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5 NIV)
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11 NIV)
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17 NIV)
Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. (Proverbs 11:27 NIV)
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. (Isaiah 66:2 NIV)
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV)
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6 NIV)
I want the favor of God all over me, my family, my church family, my company, my friends. The favor of God changes EVERYTHING!
Pressing On!
Dwayne