Favor was Noticed, Again

Scripture: Luke 1:66

All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, "What then will this child turn out to be?" For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.

Insights: Today we conclude were we started earlier this week.  God’s favor was noticed.  Again, look at what the people, lost people mind you, were doing.  They were talking about what the Lord was doing in the life of Zacharias, Elizabeth and John the Baptist.  Another thing they were doing was thinking and contemplating what the Lord was getting ready to do.  So, not only were they talking like those who gossip around the water cooler at work, but they were also pondering what all of these miraculous events my mean.  The actual words in the verse were, “kept them in mind.”  The last part of this verse that is important to keep in mind (an intentional play on words) is God’s favor.  As I indicated Monday, God’s favor is absolutely vital and key if we are going to do anything of lasting value for the kingdom.  Everything we do must first originate in the heart of God and we must respond to His guiding hand and work.  These people who heard and saw God’s work in Zacharias’ family knew that “the hand of the Lord was certainly with [John the Baptist].”  Beloved, I told you Monday, we need to be about the business of crying out for the Lord to bring His favor down on our lives.  We need to strive to walk in an abiding relationship with Him and let His favor flow out from our lives.  The reason God’s favor is dispensed on us is so that lost people will be drawn by God’s grace and come to a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus.  Be open and mindful of what the Lord is doing in your life and take advantage of those God ordained moments when you have the opportunity to witness to a lost world.  They desperately need a Savior and you have been commissioned to tell them about His great love.  Receive the Lord’s favor with humility and never begin to think it is you doing the work, but always be mindful that it is God doing the work in and through you.  Humble yourself before the Lord and point all people to Him.  Let your praise to Him be heard and seen by all those around you!

Questions:

1. Is the hand of the Lord on you?
2. Are lost people talking about what the Lord is doing in your life?

Prayer: Father, I do not always feel Your favor on me.  I sin and turn my back on You so often.  Forgive me and bless me with Your strength and grace.  Turn my weakness into a tool for Your glory as You dispense Your favor on me.  Let Your great name be praised as You enable me, by Your Spirit, to obey Your commands.  Amen.