Psalm 30:5 English Standard Version (ESV)
5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.[a] Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Ephesians 2:8-10 The Message (MSG)
7-10 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
What does the favor of God look like? First of all God’s favor lasts for a lifetime. Once you made that decision to accept Christ the gifts of God’s grace and favor were yours. As the scripture says Christ did all the work through His sacrifice on the cross. There is nothing more for us to do, other than live for Him, believe that those gifts belong to us and function in them.
Everything that we will ever need is ours for the asking. God wants the very best for all of us and His intention is never to harm us. God’s favor will put you in front when you should have been in the back. It will cover you when you should have certainly been harmed and it allows your gifts to be magnified when circumstances should dim them. God makes underdogs end up being rulers. When people talk about you and slander your name, He’ll prepare your victory in front of them.”You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing” (Psalm 23:5 MSG).
The story of Esther is a great example of favor. She was favored even though people in high places would want her and her people murdered, but God favored her! Also when Joshua was in battle God held the sun and the moon in place so he would complete the victory over his enemies (Joshua 10:10-13). God will stop time for you, that’s how much He loves you.
God accepts you for who you are and there is nothing bad enough that He cannot forgive you for. You can return to Him and He loves you just the same. God can use anything or anyone. Even if you feel like you are too far behind or there is nothing more to life, God is able. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20 NLT). God uses bad situations to put you in position, just remember your place of favor as you go through; keep your head! Don’t allow the enemy (Satan) to knock you out of position by the words that come out of your mouth. Make sure you accept the gift of favor God has given by believing and speaking His Word over your life.
Psalm 84:11 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
God will not hold anything back from you that is yours. Declare His promises over your life and remember that you belong to Him. Stand strong and firmly in your place of favor and watch the hand of God move strongly on your behalf. Your life may be in turmoil right now but God’s hand is still covering you and He has not walked away from you, He will defend you and give you double for your trouble. Isaiah 61:7 says, “Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.” Let that scripture saturate your mind, think about it, recite it. Every time our adversary (Satan) comes at you with a negative thought, instead of speaking negatively, speak this scripture. Make speaking the Word of God a habit in your daily life, so that you will experience God’s movement in your life to a greater degree. Instead of running to your friends when something happens, run to the Rock, God first!
God wants you to experience His very best, so stick close to Him in good and bad times. Stay in your position of favor!
Jeremiah 29:11 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Isaiah 14: 24-27 (MSG)
24-27 God-of-the-Angel-Armies speaks: “Exactly as I planned, it will happen. Following my blueprints, it will take shape. I will shatter the Assyrian who trespasses my land and stomp him into the dirt on my mountains. I will ban his taking and making of slaves and lift the weight of oppression from all shoulders.” This is the plan planned for the whole earth, And this is the hand that will do it, reaching into every nation. God-of-the-Angel-Armies has planned it. Who could ever cancel such plans? His is the hand that’s reached out. Who could brush it aside?