21 Gifts of Advent预览

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 (ways) 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. Yes! We need instructions on how to live, and the Bible is more than a book of rules and regulations! 

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!