Finding Favor, Finding Hope
When you woke up this morning, did you feel exceptionally special, really significant, having approval and being a delight to God. I’ll let you think about that for a moment. Do you feel like you connect with Him in a way you don’t connect with anyone else?
Many people had God’s favor in the Bible. Mary found favor with the Lord and because of His favor toward her, He chose her to bring His Son into the world. God had favor with Moses when Pharoah issued an order to kill all the Hebrew baby boys. His mother hid him in the reeds and he was found by Pharaoh's sister and saved. God found favor with Jesus, His Son, when Jesus began His ministry.
What all of them have in common is that God’s favor with them changed their lives. With His favor comes change and purpose. While favor brings blessings, it doesn’t mean there will be no problems in life. Mary, Moses and Jesus were blessed and they faced tribulations too. But because of God’s favor, their lives changed for the better and they found a place in His heart forever.
Favor is a feeling that you can’t quite put your finger on, but you know you have it. In Hebrew there is a word, yada, that means “to know.” Not a simple “I know you.” But “I truly have a relationship with you, I yada. I know you deeply and you know me deeply.” When you have that kind of relationship, you have favor. You delight in the Lord and He delights in you. You seek HIs favor above all else.
David wrote a song of thanksgiving about the favor of the Lord and it is filled with hope and purpose. Today, read this Psalm carefully and see what favor means, and what it brings. We all need God’s favor. We all need that real relationship with Jesus. We all want change in our lives for the better. We all want to feel that “yada” with Him.
“I will exalt You, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to You for help and You healed me. O Lord, You brought me up from the grave; You spared me from going down into the pit.
Sing to the Lord, you saints of His; praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
When I felt secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken.’ O Lord, when you favored me, You made my mountain stand firm; but when You hid Your face, I was dismayed.
To You, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: ‘What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help.”
You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks forever.”
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect [seeks His favor] toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9
Prayer
Lord,
You are a sun and shield; You bestow favor and honor; no good thing do You withhold from those whose walk is blameless. May Your favor rest on me; establish the work of my hands for me—yes, establish the work of my hands. You will guide me always; You will satisfy my needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen my frame. I will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. You deeply know me and I long to deeply know You. Jesus, I praise Your holy name and lift Your name so all may see that I have Your favor. Amen!
Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash
Google Doc
Many people had God’s favor in the Bible. Mary found favor with the Lord and because of His favor toward her, He chose her to bring His Son into the world. God had favor with Moses when Pharoah issued an order to kill all the Hebrew baby boys. His mother hid him in the reeds and he was found by Pharaoh's sister and saved. God found favor with Jesus, His Son, when Jesus began His ministry.
What all of them have in common is that God’s favor with them changed their lives. With His favor comes change and purpose. While favor brings blessings, it doesn’t mean there will be no problems in life. Mary, Moses and Jesus were blessed and they faced tribulations too. But because of God’s favor, their lives changed for the better and they found a place in His heart forever.
Favor is a feeling that you can’t quite put your finger on, but you know you have it. In Hebrew there is a word, yada, that means “to know.” Not a simple “I know you.” But “I truly have a relationship with you, I yada. I know you deeply and you know me deeply.” When you have that kind of relationship, you have favor. You delight in the Lord and He delights in you. You seek HIs favor above all else.
David wrote a song of thanksgiving about the favor of the Lord and it is filled with hope and purpose. Today, read this Psalm carefully and see what favor means, and what it brings. We all need God’s favor. We all need that real relationship with Jesus. We all want change in our lives for the better. We all want to feel that “yada” with Him.
“I will exalt You, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to You for help and You healed me. O Lord, You brought me up from the grave; You spared me from going down into the pit.
Sing to the Lord, you saints of His; praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
When I felt secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken.’ O Lord, when you favored me, You made my mountain stand firm; but when You hid Your face, I was dismayed.
To You, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: ‘What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help.”
You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks forever.”
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect [seeks His favor] toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9
Prayer
Lord,
You are a sun and shield; You bestow favor and honor; no good thing do You withhold from those whose walk is blameless. May Your favor rest on me; establish the work of my hands for me—yes, establish the work of my hands. You will guide me always; You will satisfy my needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen my frame. I will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. You deeply know me and I long to deeply know You. Jesus, I praise Your holy name and lift Your name so all may see that I have Your favor. Amen!
Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash
Google Doc
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