I Need God's Favor - Morning Manna 8.8.16

Last night I had fallen asleep while listening to something on YouTube and I awoke to Pastor Mike’s text about speaking for morning manna. All I could do is text back “Yes”. This is for someone listening right now, trust me when I tell you that the things that you run from will chase you down until all of your answers of “no” are exhausted.

Yesterday Pastor Mike gave us some major keys out of the book of Proverbs. I love the wisdom of Solomon. I remember when Michael Scruggs Jr. was given the task to memorize scriptures I came to know Proverbs 4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. Imagine David, the man after God’s own heart, brings forth a son, named Solomon who tells us to get wisdom at any cost.

Not only did Pastor Mike speak on favor but yesterday I had, on a couple different instances, favor come up in a conversation with a friend. That’s when I heard God tell me the topic for this morning. I Need His Favor.

How many times have you had a friend call or text you and ask, “Could you do me a favor?” or “I need a favor.” At that point you’re going to respond yes or no because it depends on who they are to you and what is it that they want. It can at times be conditional if, I don’t know you like that, If we ain’t cool like that. This kind of favor is defined in Webster as a kind or helpful act that you do for someone.

Proverbs 3:1-4 reads

My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Then you will win favor… Now, that favor is defined as a preference for one person, group, etc. over another. When this favor occurs that’s when you hear someone shout out favor ain’t fair. Earlier we talked about favor being conditional but God knows us, He created us in His image. Not only that, but God doesn’t just like you. God loves you. So when we go to God we don’t ask Him for favors rather we seek His favor. Our statement now becomes I need some favor Lord. I need Your favor.

I remember Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr preaching years ago and he stated the phrase, “sooner than right now, quicker than not yet.” God that’s how we desire Your favor.

Favor is not identified through the process producing a blessing, it is revealed through God’s intentional decision to keep His hands on the process. Remember, God is an intentional God and God has His hands on us. Which means we need to step aside and let God be God so that He alone can work His perfect will for our lives.

I don’t simply want a favor. It’s time out for just wanting just enough or just what I want for myself. I want what God wants for me. Truth be told God wants better for me than what I would want for myself. His gifts are good and perfect.

Remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You’re God’s creation. You were created for His glory, you were created for His purpose, and you were created for His pleasure and to that we say have Your way. Fill us up with all of those thing you predestined for us in eternity. And when our cup overflows allow us to be vessels of blessings to others.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding

Lean not on your own understanding of why something didn’t work out, why someone left you, why someone hasn’t shown up yet, why you haven’t gotten the position, why your finances are not where you want them to be. Trust Him in all things. Trust Him with all things. Seek Him daily. As a matter of fact, seek Him first. Submit to His ways. It will work if you work it. You have to be steadfast in your prayer life, in your fasting and in your obedience to him.

Finally Proverbs 3:6 tells us - In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  

Some key words here are trust, lean not, acknowledge and direct. If you simply trust in Him, lean not to the stuff that you want for yourself, (which more than likely hasn’t been working out well) acknowledge or submit to him then He’s going to direct you in the way that you should go. It’s nearly one a.m. in the morning as I’m writing and I had an “aha” moment. Solomon’s father gave us a preview of this scripture in Psalm 37:23 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighted in his way.

 Let’s pray.

God we thank you for another day in Your presence. We don’t take Your favor and will for our lives for granted. We know that we haven’t always sought after Your will for our lives and that has at times left us wondering and questioning the consequences to some of those decisions. God I pray that everyone on this call learns to acknowledge you in all things so that You can direct our paths and order our steps. We are praying for an incredible week of God’s love, mercy and favor. And God when those unmerited favors begin to rain down let us simply say, “I receive it”, “Lord, be it unto me.” In Jesus name we pray.

I pray that this message blesses you this week as we lift up our hands with worship, expectation and adoration for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Have an awesome week.