Advent - Day Eighteen

From 21 Gifts of Advent by Janelle Keith

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us;

yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalm 90:17 ESV

The Gift of Favor

In the Christmas story, Mary is selected as “highly favored.” (Luke 1:30) So that makes me wonder, what does God favor us to do and be?

Favor means “having approval, support or liking for someone or something. To feel or show approval or preference for.” It’s easy to be jealous of people who have favor because it appears they have it all together or are super Christians. And it’s also easy to compare our lives to others and feel like we’ve been left out.

God doesn’t compare His children, so why do we? There are numerous stories from the Bible that give us insight into what is favored by God and what is condemned. So it is imperative to walk with God, know Him, and have a daily input of God’s influence in our lives. A daily walk with the Lord, hand in hand.

Knowing the favor of God is what Jesus is talking about in the Sermon on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 5). Proverbs talks about walking with the Lord and sitting in the council of the wise. ...  Scriptures only mention the word “favor” 15 times, however, God’s word is FULL of how to live the abundant life! Jesus preached constantly about the blessed life of the believer and what an abundant life means to us today. Greatness is born through understanding God’s favor and potential for each of us. As our faith grows, so does our trust in Him; it’s the Spirit’s development of our character.

God's perfectly timed plan is still unfolding in your life! As we wait for the day when the Lord returns again, let's not miss the holy moments of abundant living in God’s favor. He speaks to us in the sunrises, sunsets, the smiles of babies, and many glances of His grace. His favor showers us with forgiveness and mercy. And God is always mindful of us. When I think about how the Lord shines His favor upon His sons and daughters, my heart can't help but respond in worship.

Advent reflection: God’s favor IS bestowed upon us. See His approval in a deep and profound way. Oh come, let us adore Him!
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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You that we are united with Christ and have received an inheritance from You, according to Your Word. Help us to walk uprightly. Teach us how to never let loyalty and kindness leave us! Write them deep within our hearts so that we will find favor with both You and mankind, and we will earn a good reputation to glorify You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen