The Extraordinary Gift of God’s Favor

By Thomas Denegre

Mirror, mirror on the wall who’s the fairest of them all? 

Alas, fairy tales always have a good lesson for us to learn in life.  Don’t they? This week’s reading in Genesis takes us through the favor of God with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We see how God’s favor bestowed enormous wealth to his faithful but flawed servants, so God could build his nation to carry the bloodline to our messiah; Jesus Our Lord.

Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7, Genesis 22:1-12, Genesis 22:13-18, Genesis 25:19-34, Genesis 28:10-22, 

Genesis 30:25-36, Genesis 30:37-43

Understanding the true nature of God’s favor in our lives can transport our spiritual lives to the deepest ends of the water where we can find rest in the abundant life of Christ; even during our darkest days.  But beware of the mirror on the wall because it will lie to you causing you to crash onto the rocks.

I’ve heard that God’s favor is called His ‘demonstrated delight.’ While in the Old Testament God’s favor was bestowed to selected people, we in the new covenant are privileged to live in God’s favor when we believe in Jesus as our Lord and repent from our sinful ways.  Favor is like God’s grace of undeserved kindness and forgiveness, and then goes the extra mile to reach down in the muck of our black sins over-and-over again to save us from ourselves. The intent is for us to discover that all of God’s favor has been given to us the moment we believe. 

A friend once told me of his visit to a family in Lebanon.  Late in the afternoon the four-year-old son heard his father’s car come into the driveway. Excited to hear his father arriving home, the little boy jumped onto the sofa to look out the window joyfully exclaiming, “Abba! Abba! Abba!”

As the father walked into the home, the little boy ran to his father jumping into his strong arms. The father kissed the boy’s face and said, “I love you more than my eyes! I love you more than my eyes!” Again, the father smothered him with more kisses and said again and again, “I love you more than my eyes!  I love you more than my eyes!” In return, the son kissed his father back with delight. 

Favor is receiving the full force of God’s love with kisses to our face who says to us, “I love you more than my life! I love you more than my life!” 

• Favor is the good shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to save the one.
• Favor is rescuing the extortionist named Mathew to become his follower.
• Favor is saving the adulteress from being stoned to death to become a saint.
• Favor is liberating the murderer named Paul who became the greatest Apostle of them all
• Favor is the loving father who forgives his prodigal son and says everything he has belongs to him. 

But beware of the mirror on the wall for it can deceive and destroy you.  It destroyed King Saul, Judas, the Pharisees, and the brother of the prodigal son. Most people are on a path from pride to humility, from self-centeredness to selflessness, from self-hatred to self-acceptance, from holding grudges to forgiveness.  They gaze into the mirror to see pride, fear, apathy, guilt, shame, or disgrace and then they project a god into their own image who is despising, condemning, punitive, vengeful, or indifferent.  Blind to their own ways they cannot see past themselves, or the mirror, to see our true God.  Sadly, they treat themselves and others in the same fashion.  God has become a reflection of their flawed nature.

As mature Christians we have looked past the man in the mirror to see Abba kissing our face saying, “I love you more than my life! I love you more than my life!” By receiving the full force of God’s favor, even in the midst of our sins, all we can do is desire to kiss him back with the full force of our love and our kisses. Even when I’m doing sinful things, my God loves me in return with kisses.  By receiving his favor, I only want to love him more. In this truth, God’s favor calls us to love Him, to love ourselves, and to love our enemies. 

By living in life union with Jesus (John 15:7), we know his living streams of love pour through us, so we can pour that love and favor onto others.  As mature Christians, we must tolerate the weakness of those in the family of faith, so we can shatter through a person’s mirror to display the full force of God’s kisses. The abounding favor of God has been given to us all to discover and to share; revelation by revelation.

The Apostle Paul teaches us in Colossians Chapter 3 the way to breach through the mirror, so other believers can experience and taste the favor of God with his kisses.

12 You are always and dearly loved by God! So, robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. 13 Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. Col. 3:12-13 (TPT)

Trust Issues

Faith. Belief.  These two words all come down to one thing. Trust.

Do you easily trust others?  I know I don’t.  I struggle relinquishing control to someone else.  I have lived much of my life following the motto, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.”

Why is it hard for us to trust others?  The obvious answer is, because they could fail us.

Is it hard for you to trust God?  Ouch! Is that a hard question to be honest about?  Trusting God can be hard because we can’t control the outcome.  We can know in our head that God wants the best for us, but trusting with our heart is not as easy.

Our scripture passage today says,

“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

and also,

“However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.” 

Abraham trusted God.  God said, pack up your stuff and your family and go to the place I will show you.  So Abraham trusted God and obeyed. 

I have found it easier to trust others the more I know them.  I trust my husband because we have been married for 18 years. The closer you are to someone, the more you know if they are trustworthy, and the easier it is to give them control.

The same goes for God. The closer we get to him.  The more we know about him.  The easier it is to trust him.  If he is a stranger to you, it only makes sense that you don’t trust him.

Corrie ten Boom said it wonderfully, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”  If you don’t know him yet, today’s a good day to start.  Trust me, it will be worth it.

No time for second-guessing

“Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy.” Genesis 21:14

When it comes to faith, Abraham is the gold standard, isn’t he? After all, this is the guy whose belief in God’s promise was credited to him as righteousness, which was first proclaimed in the original Genesis story and then reaffirmed in three separate New Testament letters. Abraham’s trust meant everything to God and it lives on forever as an example to all of mankind.

Do you know what is particularly amazing about Abraham’s faith, though? Not only did he believe God, he obeyed him immediately.

When God commanded the circumcision of Abraham, the men of his household and his male descendants, Abraham carried out the order “on that very day” (Genesis 17:23). When God told Abraham to send away forever his servant Hagar and his son Ishmael, he said his good-byes “early the next morning” (Genesis 21:14), even though “greatly distressed.” When God tested him by commanding the sacrifice of Isaac, Abraham got up and set forth, again, “early the next morning” Genesis 22:5).

These were no small orders. Personally, I would have taken more time – quite a bit more time, actually – you know, “to pray about it.” When it comes to big steps of faith, my proclivity to ponder downshifts into a disposition to dither. (Can you relate, or is it just me?)

Abraham’s faith exposes my doubt; his actions dwarf my intentions. So I have decided to do something about it ... starting small of course. When people are on my mind, I will pray. When burdens are on my heart, I will reach out in friendship and support. When the Spirit calls me to action, I will offer myself to him.

Will I mess up? Probably, but no more than if I allowed time for second-guessing.

[Read today's Scripture in Genesis 21:1-18.]

Genesis 24:10-27

Hospitality as a Sign

Abraham’s wife Sarah had been buried. Abraham was older than dirt. (I mean well advanced in years.) Isaac was becoming an adult. He needed a good wife.

In those days, dating, living together for a while, having a child and then perhaps getting married didn’t happen. Isaac’s father Abraham enlisted his chief servant to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham had him make a solemn promise though, that he would not get Isaac a wife from the Canaanites they were living among, but from Abraham’s own country. He wanted to be sure that Isaac’s future wife came from the same spiritual foundation as his family. Abraham was aware of the importance of both the husband and wife having a heart for the Lord in order to work together to build a marriage relationship on the solid ground of God and the teachings of the Bible.

Have you ever prayed to God with words something like this; Father, please help me to know your will. I pray for your guidance and direction. Lord please clearly reveal to me my path that I may without a doubt know the message is from you.

That is in a way the prayer of the chief servant of Abraham. Upon arriving to the town of Nahor, the servant prayed; “Oh Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, “Please let down your jar that I may have a drink, and she says, “Drink and I’ll water your camels too” – let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

Hospitality accompanied by sincerity is very welcoming. That is exactly what the girl offered the servant. She was the type of person Abraham asked the servant  to bring to him. In this case, the warm and welcoming spirit she exuded made the choice clear. She was just what the servant was looking for!

As Christ followers and lovers of the Word, we too must hold out our hands in welcoming hospitality to others. All others. The feelings or vibes we give off, may make a difference in the life path of another. Our outreach may be just what they needed.  

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou

Read/Listen to Genesis 24:10-27

What Can You Do? What Will You Do?

Have you ever been in an unfamiliar place and someone made you feel welcome? Maybe you were anxious and somebody put you at ease?

Forbidden City, Beijing

 

I was in Beijing several years ago, on business. We were trying to see if our product line could be sold in China. Our team consisted of myself, a few Chinese people residing in the United States and our Chinese hosts.

 

A few street signs and shop signs had their English meaning in small letters underneath, but for the most part I had little idea what I was looking at. Since Chinese is a tonal language, I was warned not to speak any words in Chinese. I was as likely to insult somebody as to get help.

 

The second full day there, as I was beginning to get over jet lag, my hosts took the entire team out to dinner. It was quite a feast. We had tilapia, squid, jelly fish, crab, turtle soup, bird’s nest soup, scallops, oysters and other things I purposely ate without asking.

 

I liked the crab legs; they preferred the liver and roe. It seems the legs are considered garbage food in Beijing. So I was known as “man who eat garbage.” (And they graciously gave me their ‘garbage’ to devour!)

 

By the end of the day, I was at ease and felt very welcomed.

 

Today’s reading is Genesis 23:1-9. Abraham’s wife, Sarah, had just died. Living in Canaan, a foreign land, among the Hittites, Abraham needed a place to bury his wife. Because God promised Abraham that his descendents would inhabit Canaan, the Promised Land, Abraham wanted is wife to be buried there.

 

The grieving Abraham was no doubt anxious. Would the Hittites sell a foreigner some land?

 

The Hittite leaders did sell him land, giving him his choice for a burial plot. Abraham must have been relieved.

 

When we meet someone new to the faith, or is exploring the faith, they might be anxious. After all, Christianity is new to them. In a sense, they are in foreign territory.

 

What can you do to reach out to a new face at church and help put that person at ease?

 

What will you do?

Genesis 12:1-3

There is a Kids Sing Praise song that goes "Father Abraham had many sons. Many sons had father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you, so let's just praise the Lord......." My children and I used to sing along with this and many other songs as we drove from place to place when they were young. Because Abraham did what God called him to do, God made good on his promise, and still today we are blessed through Abraham. Throughout the bible there are promises God has made to us, and he follows through on every one of them, provided we do our part. What does he ask of us? Well, we have the Ten Commandments. Besides that, he instructs us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." "Love one another as I have loved you." "Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." His Word is saturated with directives and promises. God fulfills them all whether large or small and we often don't even realize it. What promise has He come through with for you lately?

Last Sunday I mentioned a friend named Karen who has been a faithful child of God. She and her husband recently traveled to Kentucky for her to have a very dangerous but possibly life saving surgery after undergoing months of chemocherapy and being offered little hope for a medical cure. She has had the support of family and friends that she calls her "prayer warriors" lifting her up to God throughout her ordeal. Following is the most recent entry on her Caringbridge website:
We are home!!!!! And we don’t have to go back…for a while. The follow ups can be done here at home. Yeah! There’s no place like home and I love you all!

Did I tell you Dr. Martin saw NO RANDOM NODULES PEPPERED THROUGHOUT MY ABDOMEN?? Everybody shout IT’S A MIRACLE! ALL PRAISE TO GOD AND HIS HEALING POWERS! She trusted in God's promises, and He has followed through......just as he said he would.

Light to the Peoples - Isaiah 51:1-8

These verses in Isaiah read like poetry with the musical flow and melodious words.  "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD;"   Read the rest of that verse, "Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;". The prophet is reminding those who are listening to him that their ancestor was Abraham, the Father of Nations.  He is reminding them that God made promises to his servant, Abraham and his decedents and they can be watching for that promise.

"My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm." (Isaiah 51:5)


Isaiah was reminding people that God promised a Savior and He will be a light to the all the peoples. We are reminded as well that God makes good on His promises.  Jesus died for us; our sins are forgiven before we even commit them.  Jesus loves us even though we are sinful.  Unconditional love in a world filled with so many conditions seems unbelievable.

When the world or life is pressing in on all sides and darkness pervades, I can read lines like, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens," and I can look up and pray and cry out and know for sure that our God hears, loves, cares and acts on our behalf.

Read the Isaiah 51:1-8 text here.

Amazing Grace Romans 4:13-25

Sunday I talk about how as Gentiles we have been accepted as fully loved children of God through the sacrifice of Christ. We are no longer excluded from heaven’s citizenship and the covenant promises now apply to us. Today’s passage goes even further to explain how we are seen as offspring of Abraham.

It was Abraham’s faith that compelled God to proclaim him righteous. Later God gave the covenant of circumcision which separated and distinguished God’s people from everyone else, but the physical act of circumcision did not make them children of God. It all started through Abraham’s faith and it continues today through our faith.

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be… Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4: 18-25 partial)

That passage shows us how, not only are we included as heirs of the Kingdom but that our actions do not save us. We are saved by grace through our faith. Who do you know that needs to hear that message today? Don’t keep such amazing news to yourself.
 
Read today's passage at Biblegateway Romans 4:13-25

Would You Pass The Test? Genesis 22

Has God ever tested you? This week has been a test for me. I have been dealing with a clogged sink, which resulted in a hole in my kitchen floor, a week of eating out, and a weekend without water to do dishes or laundry. Ok I admit, I don’t mind that I can’t cook, but I’m going to run out of clothes soon.

It seems to be one hit after another and I feel as if God is testing my reaction. I am constantly going to Him needing wisdom. I want to be a good witness without being a push over. I believe this is a test because self-control or should I say holding my tongue is a struggle for me.

Today’s scripture shows how Abraham was tested by God. Today’s passage makes my test pale in comparison. Abraham is commanded by God to sacrifice his only son. Could you do that? I can’t help but think that I would doubt it was God speaking. Abraham is obedient and God blesses him my giving him his son back.

Why would God do this? He teaches us through his testing. He knows the areas where we need to grow. One comfort I receive is that God won’t ask us to do anything He isn’t willing to do. He proves that by sacrificing his own son for us.

Read the entire scripture on Biblegateway Genesis 22

Remembering Abraham - Genesis 25

There are times in my life when I don’t know where I am going, or if I do, I don’t know how I am going to get there. It is heartwarming to realize that Abraham probably felt the same way at times.

The story of Abraham is an impressive example of how faith grows through experiencing God’s patience and grace amid personal struggles. Abraham isn’t perfect, but he answers God’s call to “Go”. On his journey in a strange land and through strange circumstances Abraham grows from being a man of fear and doubt to a man of great faith.

Abraham shows courage to trust and obey God even when he doesn't understand God’s plan. At the end of his life’s journey, Abraham sees God fulfill His promises to give him a land, a nation, and a blessing of a son in his old age.

Abraham’s faith is expressed by his obedience and trust in God in spite of his circumstances. We face hardships, failures, and successes during our life’s journey. Like Abraham, we have the blessings of God’s promises, patience and grace to make us stronger in our faith; to make it through from beginning to end. How great our God is!

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Remembering Sarah - Genesis 23

In today’s text, Abraham honors Sarah by mourning and weeping over her death. He secures a proper burial place for her in Hebron.

When I think of Sarah, I think of Abraham. Likewise, when I think of Abraham, I think of Sarah. Scripture doesn't say anything specific about their marriage. However through their stories, I consider them an admirable team.

Sarah did as her husband asked. She left behind family and everything familiar to her. She went with her husband on an unknown journey through strange lands and circumstances. It seems Sarah trusted her husband, throughout their marriage, as much as Abraham trusted God.

Abraham showed mutual regard for Sarah. Sarah suffered most of her life from the reality of not being able to have a child. There is no indication that Abraham ever berated her. She gave her servant girl, Hagar, to him so he might have a family. When Sarah could not tolerate the resultant situations with Hagar, she asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. He was greatly distressed, but talked with God and carried through.

Sarah could be strong-willed, jealous, impatient, fretful and doubtful of God’s ability to always keep His promises. In spite of these failings, I see her as a devoted wife.

Abraham and Sarah both showed personal weaknesses and, at times, faltered in their faith. Their marriage had its imperfections, but it was strong on love, respect, and commitment to each other and to God. It was a marriage that put God first. This allowed God to accomplish His purposes.

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God's Perfect Plan Genesis 22

I love to read. When I find a good book, I can read it two, maybe three times. I get so immersed in some books that sometimes I don’t notice foreshadowing until I read the book again. Then I see how the author revealed the ending halfway through the book and I was unaware.

The story of God commanding Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac is a perfect example of God foreshadowing His plan of salvation for us. There are numerous parallels between Isaac and Jesus in this passage. What God started with Isaac He would complete with his own son.

First we see that Abraham and Isaac walked for three days before reaching the place where Isaac would be sacrificed. For three days Abraham lived as if his son were dead. In the same way Jesus was in the grave for three days before resurrecting.

When God provided a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac he was foreshadowing to how He would provide his own son as the perfect lamb to sacrifice in our place.

Isaac carried the wood for his sacrifice just as Jesus carried the cross he would be sacrificed on. I could go on and on. This passage is full of God foreshadowing His perfect plan. Keep reading today’s passage and find some more for yourself.

Read the entire passage on Biblegatway Genesis 22

Abraham and Abimelech - Genesis 20

Has anyone confronted you with something you have unknowingly done wrong? God confronts Abimelech about a sin he is committing, "You are a dead man, for that woman you took is married." Abraham and Sarah misled him to think Sarah is his sister.

Abimelech pleads with God. God gives Abimelech two choices. One, return Sarah to Abraham, save his life and heal his household. Two, keep Sarah causing himself and his entire household to die. This is what I call a "no brainer." What choice would you make?

Abimelech confronts Abraham demanding he explain himself. Abraham's response, "Well…I figured this to be a godless place, I thought, they will want my wife and will kill me to get her. Besides, she is my sister…." Abraham had a poor excuse for his behavior. The lie was a sinful deception. Abraham went off on his own without trusting God to protect him and his family.

Abimelech and his household are frightened by the sin and its consequences. To settle the issue, Abimelech pays Abraham in livestock and servants. He also offers him a place to live. His generosity is a powerful contrast to Abraham's worries and deception.

Abraham turns back to God. He prays and God heals Abimelech and his household. I imagine a powerful conversation took place between God and Abraham!

How awesome God can be when we put our trust in Him. Isn't it great that even with our imperfections, our lack of faith, and our determined self-reliance, God protects us and accomplishes his purposes?

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