Tag: timely response
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!