FAVORS FROM OUR FAVORITE

October 18

FAVORS FROM OUR FAVORITE

Psalms 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

In the book of Job, Satan challenges God about Job’s virtuous life and says, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (Job 1:9,10)

If God could only open our eyes, we would see how much He looks after us, we would realize the full spectrum of his protection. The shield that He protects us with is His favor, as though we are His favorites; God does have favorites. He is automatically closer to those who abide close to Him. If we give Him the honor of being the ‘favorite’ of our hearts, then we also are His ‘favorite’, protected by His favors.

Before asking God for the benefits of His favor, let’s ask ourselves: Is God my favorite? Is He my favorite hobby, pastime, counselor, presence, and friend?

As a reflection on 9-11, Ann Graham, the daughter of the famous evangelist by the same last name gave an answer the question, How could God let something like this happen? She said, I believe that God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman that He is, I believe that He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand that He leave us alone?

Looking at all the areas in our lives where we wish that God would somehow intervene, let us check to if perhaps He is perhaps not there because we either have not invited Him, or have even escorted Him out of the issue. How can we then expect His favors?

Psalms 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.