Tag: God’s favor
The Time of God’s Favor!
Scripture reading for July 30th: Isaiah 49-51
“This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and re-assign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ “(Isaiah 49:8-9)
God’s Word is very clear about the plans of the Lord to bring a deliverer. Isaiah has already said that “Immanuel” would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14) He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of peace! (Isaiah 9:5-6) God spoke how He would form this servant in the womb and He would bring Jacob back to Him and gather Israel. God said that He would also make this servant a light for the Gentiles and bring His salvation to the ends of the earth! (Isaiah 49:5-6) All these prophesies speak of Jesus Christ our Lord!
Jesus Christ announced the beginning of this time of favor with a quote from Isaiah in Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isaiah 61:1-2) Notice how similar this quote is to our text for today’s devotion! Jesus Christ announced His ministry of preaching, healing and deliverance to those in His home town of Nazareth. They did not receive the message with the joy that was expected, but became furious and tried to throw Jesus off the brow of a steep cliff! Not everyone will respond in a “time of favor”.
In fact, the “time of favor” referred to the year of Jubilee during which every Israelite would have his inheritance restored! Property lost through neglect, illness or bad business dealings was to be restored to the original owner. This would be a joyous time of healing and restoration! (Leviticus 25:8-13) Jesus Christ was stating that He was their ‘Jubilee’!
Today we live in the “time of His favor” with promise of forgiveness of sins, healing and restoration! Share this good news with someone who needs favor today! Ask them to respond before it is too late!
The trap of discouragement!
Scripture reading for May 4th: Ezra 4-6
In today’s political climate, Christians often feel that elected officials are against them and hinder the work that they are called to do. For example, Christians in America have been working to reverse the law concerning abortion for many years. Our current administration seems to want to reverse the progress and make abortion on demand available to anyone and everyone. It is easy to get an attitude and loose heart!
Ezra records the spiritual battle for the rebuilding of the temple. When the Jews came to Jerusalem armed with the orders from Cyrus, they were immediately opposed by local political enemies. These enemies offered to help with the work but were really intent on hindering it. Their help was refused. They changed tactics and wrote a letter to King, Artaxerxes. This letter brought accusations against the builders and caused the work to cease. (Ezra 4:18-23) In this battle, discouragement set in because of political and spiritual opposition!
God’s word cannot be hindered, however. God had spoken through Cyrus that His temple would be rebuilt! God raised up the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people. (Ezra 5:1-2) God removed Artaxerxes from the rule of authority. The eye of their God was upon them and another letter was sent to the new king, Darius. Darius made a search, found the decree of Cyrus, and enforced it! (Ezra 6:6-12) God truly knows how to change attitudes in political power! Where He guides He also provides; Darius even ordered the bills paid by the royal treasury! (Ezra 6:8)
We must be careful to not become discouraged or let our poor attitude show. God is in charge and can change the hearts of those in authority. God’s people must heed the prophetic word to continue the work on His house! Our focus must not change and our attitude must be positive! God watches over His word to bring it to pass!
“For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” Ezra 6:22