God, Where is your Favor?
http://www.woodmenvalley.org/
What a week! Of course, you no doubt know about the YWAM and New Life Church shootings which rocked Colorado and Colorado Springs last Sunday. We have several friends who attend New Life, and our church sponsors several YWAM missionaries.
In the wake of it all, and in the midst of my own personal grieving over the loss of my Dad, I felt overwhelmed. I had no energy to even fathom that this could really have happened in my city. How on earth could we be living in a time, in America, no less, when random Christians would be killed at church just for being Christians??? I mean, I have just gotten used to the idea that I could be killed at school/work...now this?
Almost in answer to this question, (which I know many have asked this week) our pastor's sermon series on "Christmas shopping" seemed to provide a much needed reminder. Pastor Matt reminded us that, of course, God was not taken by surprise last week. And He is there with all those who are hurting. May God comfort those in the families who lost children, especially the family who lost two teenage daughters.
So, where is God's favor? Did I miss something? Has it changed?
Matt went on to lead us in reflecting on the fact that God's favor IS with men. Luke 2:14 says " Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest."
He reminded us that our role is engaging with God's favor, and that we must remember to respond to His favor. (Eph. 2:8-9 & Romans 8:1-2) It is not and cannot be earned, but simply something we must accept. "there is an enormous difference between pleasing God and hoping to earn his favor. The latter simply cannot be done, but fortunately, the Father has already bestowed His favor on us.
God's role is one of redemption, but not exemption from the pains of this fallen world. We are blessed, because of His favor, to have redemption for our past ( Isaiah 1;27) , redemption for today, and redemption in the future, restoring us to a right and complete realtionship with Him. Ephesians 1:13-14, I Peter 4:12-13, and John 16:33 remind us of this.
So, as hard as this past week has been, I can say with confidence that God's favor is still with all mankind. And, no matter how hard the weeks ahead may be, I can rest in the knowledge that He is still for me. And, despite the hardships and pain, God will bring good from these circumstances. I just hope I have my eyes open (both my "heart eyes and my real ones!) so that I can see it!
May you have a peaceful week responding to the favor of God.
What a week! Of course, you no doubt know about the YWAM and New Life Church shootings which rocked Colorado and Colorado Springs last Sunday. We have several friends who attend New Life, and our church sponsors several YWAM missionaries.
In the wake of it all, and in the midst of my own personal grieving over the loss of my Dad, I felt overwhelmed. I had no energy to even fathom that this could really have happened in my city. How on earth could we be living in a time, in America, no less, when random Christians would be killed at church just for being Christians??? I mean, I have just gotten used to the idea that I could be killed at school/work...now this?
Almost in answer to this question, (which I know many have asked this week) our pastor's sermon series on "Christmas shopping" seemed to provide a much needed reminder. Pastor Matt reminded us that, of course, God was not taken by surprise last week. And He is there with all those who are hurting. May God comfort those in the families who lost children, especially the family who lost two teenage daughters.
So, where is God's favor? Did I miss something? Has it changed?
Matt went on to lead us in reflecting on the fact that God's favor IS with men. Luke 2:14 says " Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest."
He reminded us that our role is engaging with God's favor, and that we must remember to respond to His favor. (Eph. 2:8-9 & Romans 8:1-2) It is not and cannot be earned, but simply something we must accept. "there is an enormous difference between pleasing God and hoping to earn his favor. The latter simply cannot be done, but fortunately, the Father has already bestowed His favor on us.
God's role is one of redemption, but not exemption from the pains of this fallen world. We are blessed, because of His favor, to have redemption for our past ( Isaiah 1;27) , redemption for today, and redemption in the future, restoring us to a right and complete realtionship with Him. Ephesians 1:13-14, I Peter 4:12-13, and John 16:33 remind us of this.
So, as hard as this past week has been, I can say with confidence that God's favor is still with all mankind. And, no matter how hard the weeks ahead may be, I can rest in the knowledge that He is still for me. And, despite the hardships and pain, God will bring good from these circumstances. I just hope I have my eyes open (both my "heart eyes and my real ones!) so that I can see it!
May you have a peaceful week responding to the favor of God.
posted by Eickhaus | 2:30 PM
1 Comments:
It's neat that you mention God's favor; our pastor has been preaching on God's grace. We have been blessed so much by the teaching and by God Himself! Amazing grace! Thanks for those reminder passages of Scripture. I sat here and looked them all up! I know that we are not promised an easy life, but tribulation, as followers of Christ, but because we know how the story ends, and that Christ has overcome the world, we can rejoice even in the midst of sufferings. Ah, so much to learn!
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