I’ve been praying for favor quite a bit lately. My family is going through some things that are completely out of our control, and other people are making important decisions that affect us. The Lord is using these experiences to teach me about His favor.
You see, the Lord can have His hand on His child in a situation and He can affect the outcome, even if it defies all logic, rules, or even the will of others involved. I’ll give you an example from the Bible. I was led to read the book of Daniel last week. God drew my attention to the amount of favor that He showed this young man. (It’s a must read, even if you’ve been there before. Click here to get started.) God gave Daniel strength, protection, knowledge, wisdom, amazing spiritual gifts, appointments and promotions to key leadership, as well as visions and dreams that revealed deep and hidden things. Over and over again, Daniel defied the odds and the Lord opened countless doors for him. Doors that Daniel would never have been able to open on his own.
After reading this last week, I prayed more fervently for favor regarding a few issues in my life. It was as if God was challenging me through the book of Daniel to believe in His favor. My family and I need favor with doctors, hospitals, and medical insurance companies. We need favor with creditors and (at some point very soon) judges. We need favor with our mortgage company. My husband needs favor with clients in order for the Lord to continue building his business. I prayed in faith for the Lord’s favor in all of these things.
Then, things started happening this week. The doctor’s office extended unbelievable grace even though we’ve only paid a fraction of what we owe them. The case worker trying to get me medi-cal for secondary maternity coverage was amazingly helpful and extended the deadline for me to turn in the rest of my paperwork. The eye doctor canceled my appointment and is sending me free contacts to last the next six months. They said to come back after the baby is born, and we’ll do another exam. (I didn’t even pray for favor on that one!!!!) The tax accountant told us that instead of paying income taxes, we are getting a $3000+ refund. Being self-employed, my husband never PAID any income taxes. This money is tangible evidence of God’s favor.
Of course, the enemy has been working overtime trying to steal our favor in other areas. Intimidating phone calls. Confusing letters in the mail. Discouraging news. No worries! I am confident that God is working to provide all that I need and walk me through the valley of death, taxes, foreclosure, and bankruptcy. (That’s the 2009 version of Psalm 23:4.)
Listen to what He spoke to my heart after I read Daniel last week:
You are My highly favored one
I delight in saving you
in providing for you
in speaking through you.
I delight in meeting your needs
in opening doors
in leading you on My path.
I delight in you
because I love you
and no one can take you
away from Me.
You are My highly favored one
and you belong to Me.
Favor doesn’t mean that we always escape consequences. It doesn’t mean that we can get whatever we wish for in prayer. It means that God will stand in the midst of our situation and provide what we need. (What HE thinks we need). He will open doors, change hearts, and move mountains out of the way. Favor means that I do not need to fear any man, woman, representative, agency, corporation, or institution. It means that His will is supreme and cannot be thwarted by anyone!!
In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11
You are His highly favored one!!!