The Coffee Shop: Favor
Within the midst of hardship, are we offered favor from God?
favor
an act of kindness beyond what is due
show approval or preference for
gracious kindness
INVITATION.
Begin with silence
Quiet settling in
A deep breath, slowly let it out
Meditation
But let all who take refuge who put their trust in You rejoice;
Let them ever sing for joy;
because You cover and shelter them,
Let those who love Your name
Be joyful and exult in You.
For You, O LORD, bless the righteous;
You will surround him with favor as with a shield.—Psalm 5:11-12 [AMP]
Invitation.
Favor
God invites us where we are.
This month’s Coffee Shop writing comes out of my home, the morning hour of coffee since the weather has been cold, windy, snowy, hail and rain battering. And sunny! It has been sweet to do this writing from home gazing out the window—inviting a glimpse of wondering and growing with God.
Moving from grace gleanings now into favor. Grace means God’s unmerited favor so the question arises, what is exactly and experientially God’s favor?
I’m sure there’s a simple answer: a collection of cliche phrases. But how about an offering of narratives to hear again and notice something new or encouraging, refreshing to our soul within the current places of our lives.
Beginning with a chronology of the word favor found in Scripture, we hear the narrative stories such as that of Joseph (Genesis 39), Ruth (one of my favorite un-raveling travels of favor and redemptive love), and then Esther another story laden with God’s favor, and on to Job who is granted life and favor. These people of God’s ever present eye show us how favor is found in the midst of life’s hardest trials. Not in the birthday celebration hosting gift passed out to friends, favor received from attending a birthday party that is quickly consumed, broken, or thrown away but a much deeper life gift of favor. Yes celebratory but in the midst of great oppositions and losses. God’s favor is closely experienced and related to an eternally present and future hope.
Take a moment to gaze out a window or at a flickering candle and listen in to your life with God. Name a few words or phrases that come to mind.
Reading.
Sit with one of these narrative stories. Spend time noticing God’s favor, the oppositions and losses, and in the midst moments where hope and favor shine through.
Joseph in Genesis 39
Ruth, particularly chapter 2
Esther, chapter 2
Job, chapter 10
Is there one person or story that is drawing you in over another? Name the person.
What part(s) of their story are connecting or intersecting with yours?
Is there something you are questioning or wondering?
God’s gracious favor
Reflection.
As you hold on to what is resonating, what area of your life is facing hardship?
Is this an area where God’s favor is desired?
In what way do you long for God in this hardship?
Spend time this week, with one or more of the Scriptures below, meditating on God’s promise of *favor:
“let me find favor in your…” Ruth 2:13
“favor in his sight more than all…” Esther 2:17
“granted me life and favor…” Job 10:12
“with favor You will surround me…” Psalm 5:12
“His favor is for life…” Psalm 30:5
“who favor my righteous cause…” Psalm 35:27
“the favor You have toward…” Psalm 106:4
(*listing taken from NKJV Nelson Study Bible, Concordance)
Prayer.
Offer your present longings and hardship to the Lord. Wait and see how God hears and gives you favor. Let the word favor become a path of God’s love in your life.
