This is a little longer than most of the favor devotions but it’s worth taking the time to look at the long-term results of God’s favor. Many people miss seeing God’s favor because they stop looking too soon or not looking and listening at all. I pray these verses will encourage you to start looking and listening for God’s favor in stages of your life!
Genesis 18:1-3 (NIV) The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
I love that Abraham had such a relationship with God that he could ask Him if he had found favor His eyes, not to pass him by. Abraham was saying, “Please God, let me have a time of fellowship with you during this time of favor.” Are you looking and listening for those special times of fellowship with God?
Genesis 18:4-5 (NIV) “Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way–now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
God blessed hospitality in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Hebrews 13:2 “So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs (spoils) of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread.
Genesis 18:6-8 (NIV) Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.” There’s something special about fellowship with the Lord. When you have a true encounter with God it won’t be, “What can I get from you?” It will be “What can I give to you?” Yet the truth is we can never, never out-give God.
Genesis 18:9-15 (NIV) “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
Today’s Challenge:
- Do you believe we can still have special times of fellowship with God?
- When was the last time you had a special fellowship or encounter with God?
- Are you looking for those special times where God might be trying to fellowship with you?
- Do you see the power of God’s favor in your life?
- Don’t you love that we are never too old to enjoy God’s favor?
