Favour comes from His Presence - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 43-45
FAVOUR COMES FROM HIS PRESENCE Sunday, August 15, 2010
MEMORIZE: “And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD” (1 Sam 2:21) READ: Exodus 33:16-17 “And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD” (1 Sam. 2:21). After about 25 years since God promised Sarah and Abraham a child, the Lord finally remembered her during her time of favor.  During this period of waiting, her hopes turned into fear and doubt. Her initial smiles of faith became laughs of unbelief. Is it taking God so long to fulfill His promises concerning your life, family or church? Are you gradually giving up your hope? Don’t!  Even when it takes some considerable time, wait! It is worth waiting for God’s promises. He is faithful and will not disappoint you. Hence, Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” When your appointed time of favor has not come, all you can do is obey the Lord in every area and wait. Do not engage in negative confessions. Do not allow unbelief but be fully persuaded like Abraham that what God has promised He will do (Rom. 4:21). God has never lied to anyone. He will not lie to you. He will fulfill what He promised you: just stick with Him in faith. Wait as long as He allows.  Moreover, favor is the means by which more mercy is obtained from God.  In Genesis 19:19-21, after Lot was rescued from Sodom which was about to be gutted by fire, he was supposed to flee as fast as his legs could carry him to safety, yet, he could negotiate with the angels and decide on where he wanted to seek refuge. With favor, you can escape from danger capable of claiming several lives. This season, through favor, the Lord will preserve you from every danger in Jesus’ Name.  In addition, favor is when God’s presence accompanies a man wherever he goes (Ex. 33:16-17; 34:9). In time of God’s favor, the Lord overlooks  the errors of men and graciously forgives their sins.  Are you favored of God? Ask God for divine favor today.  Favor shields you from divine judgment and from your enemies. ACTION POINT: Ask that God’s favor will protect you from judgment and your enemies.