Hebrews 12:6
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
I know what you are thinking... What does that scripture have to do with favor of God? Well, it has everything to do with it.
I hear so many Christians today talking about obtaining the favor of God. "God has done this for me..." "God has given me what I wanted, so I have obtained favor with God". "god favors my football team more than yours because we won". While some of these statements (with the exception of that last one) are true and worthy no doubt of praising God for His provisions and blessings, there is a big problem with this kind of teaching. If we only tell people that we have favor with God while He is giving us exactly what we want then what happens when God says no?
He told Paul no in his pleading of the thorn. He told Jesus no in the garden of Gethsemene. Sometimes our Father's answer is no and if we teach that God only favors us when we are getting what we want then how is our disappointment when God delays in His answering? (Cause it all depends upon His time). What do we say to people that are saved, born-again, blood-bought children of God who suffer? What about the couple who is praying for a child that hasn't yet came? What do we tell the mother who lost her son in an automobile accident? What scripture do we preach to the parents whose children are being rebellious? Maybe we should tell them that God doesn't favor them. Sound good? But that would be wrong!
You see in good times our God favors you who are obedient to the word. In bad times God favors you who hold on to His words. Before you ever surrendered to Him, he favored you enough to send His only Son, Jesus, to die for you.
Never forget! He loves you and favors you. That's why He whips you in shape through holy discipline. That's why He holds you in your hurting. That's why He loved you and favored you before you ever loved and favored Him.
Rejoice today because you have found favor with God!
