This is a classic example of a self-seeking person. A person who lives for their own enjoyment and doesn't allow God into the place that he wants to be. Actually, this is quite a scary place to be with God. God expects to be in first place, not an after-thought. Your life may demonstrate the life of an after- thought, a person who just sits on the subs bench, never having the opportunity to use what they have - that hidden talent. This may be where you are, but God should never be in second place. He needs to be No 1. So be careful that you honour God. You can't receive blessing and favour if you live your life neglecting Him and/or living in sin.
The Psalmist says in Psalm 119:59, 'I thought about my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies.' The writer suddenly became aware that he was leaving out the most important person in his life - God, and therefore set out to get his life back on track, remembering all the great things that God had done for him in the past.
This may be you. Somehow you may have drifted away from God's direction; or you may have been distracted because of one thing or another. God wants to bless you. He wants to put a shield of favour around you. Jerry Savelle offers a useful prayer to confess each and every morning:
"I walk in divine favour. The favour of God goes before me today,
changing rules, regulations and policies."
"This is another day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad
therein. The favour of God goes before me and surrounds me.
Copyright Jerry Savelle 1997 Walking in Divine favour
The Greek word for Favour is Ratson which means pleasure, desire, favour and delight.
Ratson describes to be pleased with or to be favourable towards something. It refers especially to what is pleasing and desirable to God.
If you were to study the 39th chapter of Genesis, you would see an example of God's favour on Joseph. After Joseph's terrible treatment by his brothers, he was sold to some travellers and ended in Egypt where he became a worker in the house of Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officers. He was so diligent that he soon found favour in his master's eyes. The problem was, he became favourable in Potiphar's wife's eyes too, for the wrong reasons. After many advances from her, he finally fled form the house and she accused him of attempted rape. He was imprisoned.
He soon found favour with the keeper of the prison and was placed in charge. He eventually was sent for by Pharaoh because of his reputation of interpreting dreams. Pharaoh had had some dreams that had concerned him. Joseph was able to interpret these dreams and impressed Pharaoh and found favour with him, so much that he was placed in charge - second to Pharaoh, of the whole of Egypt.
Now this is favour and if you walk closely with Jesus each and every day, He will give you favour too, in all you do:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen"
Ephesians 3:20. NKJV
Note the part of this verse that says, 'according to the power that works in us.' If we don't move in the Holy Spirit and in the Blessing of God, we will miss out on all that God has for us and that includes favour.
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for dwelling in my heart through faith.
Keep me rooted and grounded in Love, that I may be able to comprehend
with all Your people the width and length and depth and height of that Love
- to grasp and experience Your Love, which surpasses knowledge, that I may be
filled with all the fullness of God. Amen"
Prayer from The Spirit Filled Life Bible Ed 3 Ephesians 3:17-19
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
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