"Men on whom His favor rests."

Posted on Mon, Dec 29, 2008

For the year 2009, and habitually, may God’s favor rest on you. And may you have His approval, goodwill, and kindness in the name of Jesus Christ.

Stop and think! You are busy minding your business. Then, suddenly, a bright light shines where you are - such light as you have never before witnessed. Won’t you be terrified and fearful? Well, at the appearance of an angel of the Lord on that eventful night, such were the experiences of the shepherds who were watching their flocks. However,with the glorious announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ by the angel, he defused their fears and calmed them. 
 

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”. Immediately following is another declaration, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14

I invite you to seriously reflect with me on the phrase: “and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Here, the angel, specifically, announces that the peace that follows the birth of Jesus Christ is for men on whom God’s favor rests.

You will recall that Paul, also, wrote about having peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 5:1. He explains that this peace is achievable only when one is justified by faith in God.

Peace with God is an act of grace. This grace is favor with God, approval of God, goodwill of God, and support of God. Sadly, this is the peace that has for so long eluded sinful humanity. Instead, in its place, are hatred, envy, jealousy, spite and all manner of inhumanity. Where is the “peace on earth?” The answer is: It was to “men on whom God’s favor rests”. Does God’s favor rest on you?

Peace comes from God. But a nation, community, family or an individual without God can not know God’s peace. Such are God’s enemy and are described as “the wicked”. And “God is angry with the wicked everyday” Psalms 7:11. God’s peace is given to men on whom His favor rests.  Moses, the man described in the bible as the meekest in recorded history knew this peace. “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Numbers 12:3 This is a man of whom God said “I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight” Exodus 33:12

Most men would be shoulder high in pride to be so addressed by God, but not Moses. Rather God’s favor motivated him for selfless service and drove him for a deeper work with God. Hear him: “I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee” Exodus 33:13

As we anticipate the year 2009, does God’s favor rests on you? If it does, then, you are in a covenant relationship with Him. But remember, His favor comes with responsibility. 'God says: “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God. Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD”. Leviticus 26:1 -2

Stop and think! Is there anything, or person in your life that you esteem more or about whom you prefer more than your relationship with God? Then, these are your idols. They must be removed, so God alone can be the center of your worship and service in the coming year.  His favor is to rest on your body, which is His sanctuary. And you must reverence His sanctuary: God is supreme and He must be your Lord of all. If you allow Him, He says:

“I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.” Leviticus 26:4-9.

For the year 2009, and habitually, may God’s favor rest on you. And may you have His approval, goodwill, and kindness in the name of Jesus Christ. Remain blessed.

 

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