DAY 9, Read Psalm 44:1-8
Key Verses: “But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbors, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians” (Exo.3:19-22).
We all need divine favour to be able to fulfill our God-given vision. The mighty hand of God releases favour into our lives to accomplish life goals. After 430 years of captivity, the children of Israel gained unprecedented favour in the sight of the Egyptians before they left Egypt (Exo.12:35,36). The Egyptians gave them gold, silver and other treasures. We all need favour at three levels: we need favour with God, favour with man and favour before our enemies.
Favour has been defined as, “an approving attitude, an act of goodwill or generosity.” The other definition says favour is, “bias at the expense of others.” Favour takes you to heights others cannot reach. Favour opens doors for us. Favour makes resources available to us. It brings us into the right connections and relationships, like in marriage. Favour creates opportunities and brings us to the limelight like it did for Joseph in Egypt. Favour enables us to do what God has called us to do; it enables us to do divine assignments with ease.
Divine favour should not lead us to pride, it should make us humble. Favour is not the absence of handwork (Ruth 2: 13-19). It is not the absence of suffering, challenges, and trials. Daniel, Ruth and Joseph all suffered, yet they experienced the favour of God (Psalm 30:5; Dan.1:10; 6:10-23). Favour does not mean compromise. Joseph did not compromise. Sin and compromise bring us into disfavour in the sight of God.
The following men and women of God enjoyed different degrees of favour from God and men which enabled them fulfill their God-ordained purpose: Nehemiah enjoyed the favour of the king to go and rebuild the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 2:5-8, 17-18); Joseph enjoyed the favour of Pharaoh in Egypt (Gen.39:2-4); God brought Daniel into favour with the chief of the eunuchs (Dan 1:8-12). For a period, David enjoyed the favour of Saul (1 Sam. 16:14-23); Ezra enjoyed the favour of the king to carry out his task (Ezra 7:6,9, 27, 28, 8:18). Mary enjoyed the favour of God when she was chosen to be the instrument through whom the Messiah came (Lk.1:30-36). I sense that for someone reading this devotional, this may be your season of favour (Psalm 102:13). May you enter into your season of favour.
PRAYER: Father, I need your favour to fulfill my God-given calling.
