Day 72 - Remain in God's Favor

Jun 29, 20232 min read

Do you decide to remain in God's Favor in difficult times?

For it is a sign of grace if a man, desiring to do right in the eyes of God, undergoes pain as punishment for something which he has not done. What credit is it if, when you have done evil, you take your punishment quietly? but if you are given punishment for doing right, and take it quietly, this is pleasing to God.

This is God's purpose for you: because Jesus himself underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in his footsteps: Who did no evil, and there was no deceit in his mouth: To sharp words he gave no sharp answer; when he was undergoing pain, no angry word came from his lips; but he put himself into the hands of the judge of righteousness: He took our sins on himself, giving his body to be nailed on the tree, so that we, being dead to sin, might have a new life in righteousness, and by his wounds we have been made well. Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls. (1 Peter 2.19-25 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

There is no guarantee that we will not suffer in this life. There are times when we have done everything right, but yet something goes wrong in our lives. This is not a test, we are not being tested, but it is with great joy the Lord sees us and helps us through the difficulty. We grow toward God as we move through and past the challenge if needed.

The Lord has a great passion for those he sees change. In time he will restore you to favor with your choice. You choose. It is within you to return or remain in God's favor, to accept the blessings of his love. You choose to imitate Jesus in times of trouble or make your life more difficult by the temptation to leave God.

Prayer:

Jesus, your example is one I pray I can imitate as difficulties happen in my life. Unlike your son, there is no perfection in me. It is probable I will stumble. Yet I know you and God wait patiently for my return to you. I ask for your blessings and love. I also ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help me grow wiser as I approach every situation. Let your voice in my heart and mind lead me to good choices and a closer relationship with my heavenly father. I thank you for all the blessings in my life and my friend's and families lives. Amen.