How can this be?

This is what the LORD says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. Isa 49:8-9 (NIV)

For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2Cor 6:2 (NIV)


One of the greatest things that God has done for us in Christ is that He wants to express His nature on this earth through us who believe. Whatever God does is usually very big and unimaginable, and sometimes we may feel so intimidated and inadequate, and even withdraw to our comfort zones.

A look at some stories from the bible will reveal this fact to us:
1. Luke 1:5-25
2. Romans 4:18-21, Genesis 18:10-15
3. Joshua 1: 1-9
4. John 5:1-7
5. Acts 12: 15-16
6. Luke 1:26-38

In these stories, we observe that the people did not have as much benefit of hindsight like we have in this our time. Now we can study about them, and understand how God began a new thing and finished it in their life. And in most cases, the fulfillment of God's word came many generations after they were dead and gone.

The bible tells us that the word of God is like a seed, and a seed has the potential to become a forest. Some seeds grow to become fruitful plants in three months, and some may take many years. Yet whenever the Lord places demand the tree it is expected to produce fruit in obedience (Mark 11:12-14). What is the word of God to you in this season? What is it that God is prompting your heart to do for Him? What bold steps is God telling you to take for Him, and what are you afraid of? Remember that this is a season of God's favour upon us (2 Cor 6-2).

It may be easy to read the bible and to believe for God's favour, but really, when the favour comes you need to have faith in order to lay hold of it.

Sometimes, and maybe most times, the favour of God does not come to us in pleasant forms. Yet, because we trust in Him, through faith we can stand in assurance that He has the best of intentions for our life.

So today, it does not matter whatever obstacles or difficulties you may be passing through.

Whether you are married or single...it doesn't matter!
Whether you've been broken hearted or disappointed in a relationship...it doesn't matter!
Whether you come from a broken home...it doesn't matter!
Whether you have don't have a job or in some financial difficulty...it doesn't matter!

It does not matter because God is aware of these things. There are some things He will remove completely from your life, yet there are others He will leave, and its not because He hates you. Jesus said that "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life (Matt 7:14)." He wants you to minister to Him in that narrow situation, give Him praise in that narrowness, give Him glory in that straitness. And sometimes it may even feel like dying, but not to worry, "a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains" (John 12:24).

There are just a few points here that I would like to mention as attitudes to adopt in receiving or laying hold of God's favour:

1. Study the word of God (2Tim 2:15, Luke 11:28, Matt 22:29, Josh 1:8)
2. Believe the word of God (Mar 1:15, Mar 9:23, Josh 1:7)
3. Pray (Mat 26:41, Mar 13:33, Luk 18:1, Mar 11:24, 1Thess 5:17-18, Phil 4:6)
4. Worship and Praise (Psa 99:9, Luk 4:8)

This is what Jesus demonstrated to us by His life on earth, that is the way of the Master. "And it pleased God that the fullness of the Godhead should dwell in Him bodily" (Col 2:9); and "Christ in you is the hope of God's glory on this earth (Col 1:27)."

This year you need to rise up in the knowledge and understanding of your spiritual position in God and walk in that revelation towards your destiny. The word of God is going forth as I speak to you today. Jesus said His word is Spirit and life (John 6:63). Jesus sent His word and His word healed and delivered (Psalm 107:20).

Remember, God has your victory planned in Christ, but you must learn to rise up in faith, in prayer, and in praise. This is the season to lay hold of your inheritance in Christ, and I declare that the favour of God is upon you, in the name of Jesus. Amen



Note:
Favour in Hebrew and Greek generally
mean: Acceptable (ed, ance), Delight,
Pleasure, Approved, Grace, (graciousness),
Kindness. (Strong's Hebrew / dictionary).