The Favour of God

I've been reading a lot over the past two days about 'finding favour' with the Lord.

So, what does that phrase mean? Well, if you favour someone in this world, you start giving them preferential treatment, showing them more kindness that to others. Essentially, they become your favourite.

However, through the many years I've been attending church, I was always told that God never plays favourites. He loves us all equally... (see Romans 2:11)

And yet, some people seem to be entrusted with special tasks. And it is interesting to read how these tasks are described... listen to the way that the angel Gabriel greeted Mary, the future mother of Jesus:

The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’
Luke 1:28 (NIVUK)

Highly favoured. And in fact given a phenomenal responsibility - to be the mother of the Son of God! And why? Because she knew God, and trusted Him. However, Mary and Joseph weren't blessed with 'creature comforts'. Joseph continued to worked as a carpenter to earn the family’s daily bread. The trip to Bethlehem during Mary’s pregnancy wouldn't have been easy - and in fact this could have been quite dangerous. And yet, she still enjoyed the favour of God like few in history had.

Here's just a few more quotes to ponder on:

This is what the Lord says:
‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting-place be?
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’
declares the Lord
‘These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
Isaiah 66: 1-2 (NIVUK)

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
For those who find me find life and receive favour from the Lord.
Proverbs 8:34-35 (NIVUK)

Be Kind

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (MSG)

Pray, Believe, Receive

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24 (NIV)

Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”
Mark 11:22-25 (MSG)

A New Thing

"Forget the former things; 
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! 
Now it springs up; 
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness 
and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Happy New Year!