Faith & Favor

By Alexandra Copeland
 

One of the biggest mistakes that we make in our Christian walks is to be stuck in habit patterns that are no longer working for us. Those patterns stopped yielding expected results long ago, but we didn’t notice it. Perhaps we didn’t notice it because we were too busy putting out fires. Life can become a series of one problem after another if we’re not putting in some quality time with God. We end up spending all our energy responding to external factors rather than taking a time-out to reflect inwardly. It’s also possible that we didn’t notice it because the disappointments of life have really done a number on us. Instead of basking in the flow of positive expectancy, we expect the worse. Whatever the case, some of us are stuck in the same old, and its high time to break out of it.

Lamentations 3:22-23(NLT) reminds us, “22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” God doesn’t change, but He does a new thing in, for, with, through and by us all the time. Every 24 hours He gives us a brand spanking new day, and it’s awesome!

God never intended that we should allow the rigors of life to cause us to become stuck in neutral. We might not realize it, but this affects our faith. For the most part, we are creatures of habit who thrive on routine. We like consistency, and change…not so much. The requirements of faith will not always cooperate with this stance. We’re called to be destiny people. That’s a pretty dynamic reality. It means that we’re to buck up against the mindset of sameness, and get into position for what God has in store. The way to accomplish this is to challenge ourselves to have greater faith, so that we can 

step into the next level of God’s supernatural favor.

Talking about Heavenly Father’s supernatural favor makes some people nervous. They don’t like that word ‘supernatural’. It sounds too spiritual for them, and they’d like to remain in their cozy silos where it’s safe. But you see, life will not afford us the luxury of playing it safe for too long. It is inevitable that something will occur to thrust us into a pivotal choice. We will either acquiesce deeper into the silos of fear and sadness, or we will mount up in faith and breach the walls of our comfort zones. If we want to witness the realm of new mercies, fresh revelation, and supernatural favor, we’ll have to prepare ourselves to knock down those walls.

An incredible season of God’s favor is upon us, and some of us are missing out because we’re too afraid or we refuse to believe in what God has in store. Our refusal or fear sends a signal that we’re unwilling to be obedient to the Father’s call. When we’re convinced of His divine favor, we’re also convinced of our ability to hear and recognize His voice, and to heed His call.

Favor and destiny are inextricably linked. In the Old Testament, in the Book of Esther, her obedience opened the door to God’s favor. She was someone who had the humblest beginnings. Her parents died when she was a child, and Mordecai, her cousin, raised her as his own daughter. Growing up, it would not be farfetched for us to assume that Esther never imagined she would be queen someday, but this was her destiny. She did not know all the details of God’s plan for her life, nor did she have an inkling that she would be instrumental in defeating Haman’s plot against God’s people. A way was made for Esther’s success, and because her obedience to God was unwavering, so was His favor.

If you find that the Christian journey no longer holds excitement and enthusiasm for you, double check that you’ve put Christ on center stage in your heart and mind. If you’re stuck in a rut, grab hold of faith and don’t let it go. Allow it to energize your steps through the power of the Holy Spirit by doing something to bless someone else. Get involved more with your community and have a greater willingness to help those in need. Set your intention on making a difference and you’ll witness the favor of God in a way that will warm your heart and continuously fuel your faith. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.