Hope Beyond Lockdown: Part 1

Looking back, it's hard to believe that it's already three months since the Bell's Palsy episode, which caused me to make major changes in my life that had nothing to do with the global pandemic or lockdown.  

The timing however, couldn't have been worse when it came to having to be in the hospital.

For those who are not familiar with Bell's Palsy, it has many of the same symptoms as a stroke victim, but thankfully it isn't that.  Besides from specific facial exercises, there really isn't a cure except for prayer and time.

When the incident first happened, I wasn't able to do much especially in the writing area because of how it affected my physical vision.  This is partly why I haven't been able to post as regularly as usual.

What upset me even more was not being able to keep up with my schedule and life vision.  Everything would have to be put on hold and my bubble of moving forward was burst.

One week after being diagnosed at 5:30 a.m. on May 19th, 2020, the Holy Spirit gave me a message.  For two hours I intently listened and wrote down what I heard in my spirit.  In the beginning I felt the message was just for me and so I never shared it. 

Frankly not everything made sense to me then, because I don't participate in some of the things He spoke of during that time.  However, now I realized that the message wasn't just for me but was to be shared at the proper moment.

Thanks for joining us on Daily Favor Blog. 

Subscribe, read News from Fay, visit the Q & A or other sections. 

Pioneering through the Crisis

For months our world has been changed and so has our way of thinking and going about life.  We’re not experiencing just one worldwide lockdown, each of us is experiencing our own type of lockdown emotionally as well as physically.

Those who are in good relationships have taken this time in stride and are experiencing positive results based on their attitude going into the pandemic.  They’re intrigued finding new ways to stay virtually connected through modern technology, and welcome this “stress-free” time to slow down taking in the simple things in life all while enjoying their families to the fullest.

Let’s not forget that anyone who lives in an area that has a yard or outdoor space available to them doesn’t feel quite so cut off from the world.  Having the ability to go outside and still be a part of the environment lowers the risk of falling into depression significantly.

A time of reflection and “finding myself” has become clearer in 20/20 leading them to pursue their life goals with gusto.  They’re embracing the opportunity no matter how short it may be to take hold and make the most of this moment in time.

Others have felt trapped in solitude and struggle with the current events of life.  Along with loneliness from the lack of interaction with co-workers, friends or family, millions have also dealt with non-employment, tragedy, illness and even loss of a loved one.

One of my childhood friend’s mother left for Heaven in early May. Three days later his father asked him to deliver the eulogy.  Gladly he accepted and prepared for it immediately.  Little did he realize the service would be postponed until mid-August because of the quarantine.

Standing in an open courtyard last week with few friends or family present, he spoke with a quivering voice stating how difficult it was not to be able to share this in the midst of those she loved.  His only relief was knowing that she was with her Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Sadness and heartache are real.  Some are stuck in unhealthy relationships which is taking a toll on the entire family. 

Children are experiencing negativity, physical or emotional abuse as illegal substances and alcohol rises behind closed doors.

No matter how you are perceiving it, universally daily routines have been interrupted and may never return as we once lived.   With so much time having passed since the first orders were given concerning staying safe at home, people have psychologically taken on new perspectives, mindsets and identities with the forming of new habits. 

As events in life happen, people ultimately change whether they plan on it or not mainly for survival and staying sane during such chaos.  Many new behaviors will become permanent or what some call the “new normal”.

When we first moved, my mother used to refer to it as “pioneering” through a crisis or situation as in the early settler days of America when families grew closer and were tightly knit.  Gatherings with “outsiders” only took place a few times a year, and bible reading was a nightly event in each household after dinner.

People spent more time on home priorities including caring for their own families and community.  From what I’ve been studying, hearing and reading, even with the pandemic calming down society is less inclined to go back to normal socializing, even at a safe distance.

Re-entry into society with limited restrictions is still going to be slow, and that’s not such a bad idea really.  Depending on who you spent your lockdown time with, will make a difference in how quickly you are able to respond to the changes that have taken place and will remain in effect.

Solitude Living

With all the changes what can we expect to happen next?  Is there hope beyond this lockdown that people can cling to, and how do we prepare for the unknown?

We have to seriously look at what we’ve been doing with the time we’ve been given in this so called “solitude” living.  There are lessons to be learned from the scriptures when the people of God were faced with challenging times. 

I’d like to direct you to a passage in Exodus where God gave direction for the Israelites that was nothing short of miraculous.  Anyone who is about to venture into a different way of living needs guidance and instruction, but mostly they need hope to get through each step, day by day as they face challenges.

We're no different than the Israelites back in Moses’ time, in needing something to hold on to that reminds us that things are going to get better.  Moses looked to Jehovah, the God on the mountain.  Today our hope is in that same God, but our message is found in the gospel of Jesus found in the Holy Bible.

Delivering the Treasured Message

Turning to the Bible book of Exodus chapter nineteen, one of the many conversations between Moses and Jehovah takes place.  It gives details of how God was going to do wonders among the people after they were delivered out of bondage.

They couldn’t imagine how this could happen, but the Israelites willingly listened for instruction.  It would be two months after they left Egypt that the LORD would reveal Himself at Mount Sinai.

The first time Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God, the LORD gave instructions for him to give to the family of Jacob and the descendants of Israel.  He reminded Moses of what He did to the enemy and how He delivered them out of captivity.

Now I doubt Moses forgot how the Red Sea sucked up all the Egyptian soldiers by the hand of God who released the raging waters that allowed the Israelites to pass through on dry ground.  Why was it important he be reminded?

It was a word-for-word message Moses was to deliver to the people reminding them of how God kept His covenant promise.  Jehovah heard their cries and delivered the Israelites out of the oppressive hands of Pharaoh, He fed, led and kept them safe daily.  This leg of the journey would require them to faithfully keep their part of the covenant and trust Jehovah in ways they never had.

God’s message through Moses to the people of Israel:

“Now if you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to Me.

And you will be My kingdom of priests, My Holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6 NLT)

Moses did as the LORD spoke and gathered the people giving them the message of how special they were to Him.  The Israelites agreed to do everything the LORD commanded even though they may not understand what He was doing; Moses returned to the mountain to relay their response to the LORD.

Here is what most people miss in this passage.  They remember God said He would speak through Moses, because basically, that’s what He was already doing.  The Israelites received the Word of the Lord in their hearts that they were Jehovah’s special treasures, and there would be a thick cloud as evidence He was present. 

What we fail to realize is that not only did God promise to come in a thick cloud so the people could see something was about to happen, they would also be able to hear the conversations between Moses and the LORD for themselves!  This is huge!

Sure, the Israelites knew they were favored by God in how they were delivered out of bondage, but this is beyond what they asked or thought could happen. Favor came on the entire nation of Israel to hear the voice of the LORD give instruction for the people when they obeyed and were faithful to the covenant, which included not worshiping other gods.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear Me when I speak to you.  Then they will always trust you.” (Exodus 19:9 NLT)

Don’t you think it made Moses’ day when God called him by name?  It shows that they had a relationship that was more than superficial, but personal. 

God didn’t have to do anything but keep things as they were between Moses and Himself.  He chose to give special favor to His treasured friend so that the people would trust Moses when he gave instruction for the journey. 

Notice the point wasn’t so the people would trust God, but that they would believe the messages delivered to them by God through the "messenger" prophet Moses in the future. God was planting seed into the mindset of the Israelites.  It was another unselfish act of God to demonstrate His love for His special treasures.

Believe that You Are Special

Talk and praise are cheap when they don’t have love to back them.  In this lockdown situation people are really finding out the true colors of others and how they feel about them in the way they are responding to individual burdens. 

Feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety are overwhelming, because some can’t fathom what it means to be loved unconditionally.  They don’t see a way out or hope beyond this lockdown.  Crying out in desperation they don’t feel heard or special in what they are going through, because so many others are experiencing the same thing.

This is why the message God spoke to Moses to tell the people was so important.  Jehovah wanted them to know their cries were heard and that they were His own specially loved treasures. 

I can’t recall a time when someone praised me simply because of who I was. Nor do I remember anyone ever saying I was special.  In fact, I was told the exact opposite!  Not thinking I was important really didn’t give me much confidence in succeeding in life, but that changed through learning about the love of God through Christ Jesus.

Coming to the understanding that God loves you not because of your gifts, talents or special abilities is eye-opening!  I think of it like this … God loved me so much that He picked special skills and selected attributes that would make me who I was, and I would love who I am (learning to like myself came first).

God already loved and fashioned me into who I am because He wanted me to love what He loved – me!  He planned for and wanted me, not someone "like" me, but flesh and bones literal me who He knew would mess-up and not always get things right!

I am favored by God not because of what I can bring to Him or do for Him, but because He first loved me so much that He wanted blessings to always be in my midst my entire life.

I totally get how King David felt when he wrote Psalm 23.

“Surely goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord (and His presence) shall be my dwelling place.” (Psalm 23:6)

These aren’t just words to make him feel good when things were going bad or when he had passed on to glory. They were words of hope for the living here on earth that helped David cope.  He knew that God’s promises were real and for him.  They are just as real for us here and now!

In verse six the term “goodness” means in the widest sense it is God’s pleasure to present to His precious treasure the most beautiful, best, bountiful, kindest, loving, cheerful things shall be in his favor (yours, mine or anyone who believes).

His mercy on me is kind implying beauty, favor and goodness.  This mercy gift of favor will follow, run after with intent to pursue, chase or hunt after me my entire life.

When you wholeheartedly believe this is true, the way you handle the unexpected challenges of life will be different because you are expecting God’s covenant favor to always be with you.  It’s a game and life changer!

This Week's Challenge:

Walking in Treasured Shoes

We are all either followers or leaders; at times we are to be both.  The question is which do you want to be and which are you actually called to be?

Not all of us are called to be a Moses, but all believers are called His special treasures, that means we too are responsible for a specific task that will benefit the Kingdom of God.  How you receive the Word of God in your spirit will determine the depth of favor that God will distribute to you.

This week I’d like you to put yourself in the shoes of the treasured Israelites.  Remember the times God has brought you out of a bad situation and into safety.  Recall how He heard your prayers through heartache or sorrow and was willing to provide a solution.

Then put yourself in the “special” shoes of Moses.  Did he see things as hopeless?  Think of his relationship to the people and God, and the calling on his life. 

How did Moses prepare to hear the voice of God that was different from the Israelites?  What was special about Moses that God was able to use him differently than the others?

"As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15 NRSV)

In other words, prepare yourself to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news of the Gospel of peace through Jesus.  That will take belief and hope in a God that speaks to those who keep His commands.

As you engage with people, think back on the last time anyone said that you were special or a treasure to them.  What effect did it play in your life? 

Have you put on the special treasure shoes of belief?  God is waiting to come to you with answers and solutions that will bring favor into your life, but He needs you to obey and keep His covenant in order for Him to reveal Himself to you. 

During this time of separation from the public, don’t separate yourself from God and from His favor.  In this uncertain time, God is the only One that knows the future, so why not put your hope and trust in Him?

Face it, people will forget you, but God won’t. He has always called you by name, because He loves you like no one else does or can.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

(from Isaiah 43:1-3 NKJV)

There is not one thing God doesn’t know about you, and He loves you anyway!  Isn’t it time you become one of His special treasures?  Read here to find out how.

Next time we'll continue with the second message God gave Moses for His special treasures.

P.S.  I have to report that God is faithful and my healing has been progressing steadily.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support.  I love and appreciate each of you!

God’s Special Treasure

Until next time, special treasures merit God’s favor! 

“I love giving favor to My special treasures.”

- Jesus Christ

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.

What’s New This Week: Click on Amazon links below.

Obey, Yahweh - Yahshua - Yeshua

Exodus 19:5 Shirts for Men, Women and Youth 
(not affiliated with company)

Round neck Christian Apparel Tees

Available in ten colors on Amazon

Men     Women    Youth

V-neck Women's Christian Apparel Tees

Available in ten colors on Amazon

Women

Have you subscribed to Daily Favor? See the links in the sidebar.

If this article has encouraged or helped you share it by using the social media icons provided at the end of this post.

Follow Favored1 on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Articles.  

Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.

Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.

Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Hub. 

*Unless noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.   

Note: When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives.

Image credit: Image Notes   Family Stressed   Special Treasure   You Are Special 

Google Images and Quotes are Creative Common License if not specified. 

Labels: Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Favor, Weekly Challenge, Bible Study,  Prayer, Hope, Pandemic, Guidance, Faithfulness, Covenant, Preparedness, Obedience, Bell's Palsy, Trust, Teaching Series