Friday, March 13, 2020

Discerning Favor: Part 2


“What it could have been” … that’s the line that kept rolling through his head, over and over as he watched the rescue team go into action.  

I can relate to how hard it was for my husband to change his thinking while still staring at the accident that unfolded before his eyes.  You too?

We’ve pretty much asked that question to an extent at some time in our lives.  Our mind takes us through various horrific scenarios, curious of what things might have been depending on the circumstances.

No wonder we have difficulty discerning whether or not we’ve made the right decisions.  It’s not always as obvious as was the case in our story.  Without the prompting of the Holy Spirit this would be reading a whole lot differently.

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Haven’t read the beginning of the story? 
Read Discerning Favor: Part 1

Listening for Discerning Favor

With so many officials and the medical team scrambling around on the scene, wisdom led that it was time to back off and let them do their job.  It was when my husband returned to the car that I learned what had happened through his phone call.  I was still on the line as he described what was going on a few feet in front him.


At 8:27 a.m. (only 36 minutes after the horrible accident) the fire department with the jaws of life, cut the 80+ year old gentleman out of his vehicle.  That’s right, the other veterinarian was the owner of the establishment and still actively working (and driving)! 

Praise God he was able to move making it easier to assist him from his humongous four door GMC truck.  A few seconds earlier our car would have been squashed like a bug!  Aww … but it didn’t happen because of God’s discerning favor was imparted to ears that listened.

That frightful morning my husband disregarded his own feelings and allowed the Spirit of God to guide his actions, leading him away from danger.  He reminded me that it wasn’t what he wanted to do, but he put his trust in what God was revealing to his spirit (not audible).

Although others were involved, God honored my prayer covering the vet’s life and those involved.  When we put our trust in the Lord, He is our refuge, strength and help in times of trouble, because He is present over the entire situation. (Psalm 46:1)

The shield of favor and protection as in Psalm 12:5 and Psalm 91 was on my husband through prayer, so those surrounding him received the same blessing.  That’s how God dealt with things that morning and another reason why we need to be cautious of those we spend time with on a regular basis.

Seek and Find

Every day when we wake it’s a gift from God for new beginnings, new life, new mercies and new favor waiting for those who choose to fellowship with the Lord.  If we miss that intimate time with God, we cannot possibly discern when He’s giving direction to a situation.

Children of God already have His favor because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross. The problem is that not everyone understands this blessing of favor (grace), nor do they know how to access it through discernment.

Scripture teaches that whoever finds God through Jesus receives His favor.  So, if you aren’t in the habit of “finding” God (spending time with Him), there isn’t any favor that awaits you.


Favor through Fellowship

Learning to seek discernment from the Lord in continual fellowship is vital.  Make it a point to arrange everything in your life around doing the will of God by staying close to Him.  

The Bible tell us in Proverbs, that whoever (that means anyone) finds God will receive or obtain (get, secure, acquire) His favor in this life and eternally, including blessings beyond the spiritual nature.

“For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.”
(Proverbs 8:35 ESV)

When someone believes in Jesus as Savior, they are counted as “Righteous” in His eyes.  Not because of anything they did or can do, but because of what Jesus did.  With believe comes the gift of favor that surrounds an individual as if it were a shield barrier around them or encompassing them through the mercy of God.

“For You, O Lord, will bless the Righteous (the saved); with favor You will surround him/her as a shield.” (Psalm 5:12 NKJV emphasis mine)

At times it may appear that God is nowhere on the scene, but take heart my friend, He is always with you.  Yes, the Holy Spirit may tweak your plans or even totally change them, but it’s for a good reason.

Don’t give in to fear no matter how things may look at the time; God is working things out for you good so trust Him to do that.  He will lead those to safety that seek His counsel and follow it immediately. 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 
I will counsel you with My eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8)

You may not want to hear this, but I need to tell the truth. There is another side to all of this.  For those who refuse to turn to the Lord – the Bible tells us that God will refuse to show favor to those who reject His gift of salvation.

“When its twigs are dry, they are broken off and women come (gather them) and make fires with them.  For this is a people without understanding (or discernment), so their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.”
 (Isaiah 27:11 NIV emphasis mine)

I urge you to take delight in doing God’s will so that you continually walk in His Daily (shield of) Favor!  

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.  For He says, in the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”  2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NIV.  
(See Isaiah 49:8 also)

If you haven’t received the gift of salvation, your day of God’s favor has come – today!  (Read how here.)

This Week’s Challenge: 
Discerning When to Stop and Wait.

The key to this entire situation for my husband was his discerning the Holy Spirit telling him to stop and wait before acting.  He didn’t know why, but just knew something wasn’t right, so he didn’t move forward with his plans.

If you have that “strange” feeling that something doesn’t seem right, it’s probably the Holy Spirit trying to lead you in a different direction.  Even if you’re not sure at first, stop and wait for a period of time.  Ask the Lord if He is directing your steps in the situation and discern if it’s God, fear or the devil giving the instructions.

“Can you hear it?
The gentle voice of the Spirit …
There’s no reason to fear it.”

“God is our refuge and strength, a (an abundantly available help)
very present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear …”
(Psalm 46:1-2a NKJV)

God will never lead you in a direction against His will and Word.  That is another reason why it is important you know the scriptures.

When your spirit is at peace over the decision you will know when to make a move forward or not.  Never proceed without getting the go ahead from the Lord.  There are times when He will tell you to do something and you may not feel qualified or ready, but that is another entire situation when God is trying to stretch your faith.

So how did the story end?  Although the vehicles involved were totaled, the huge size of the doctor’s truck was able to take the blow from the other vehicle, where mine would have been crushed! 

One might find It hard to believe the outcome of this after seeing the evidence, but by the grace of God the other driver walked away from the crash without a scratch.  As for the veterinarian, he was taken to the hospital for examination and only had a minor cut on his hand.  He was fine and has since gone back to work.

The enemy didn’t win and the song in my heart that morning would ring out even louder!  God gave us another day full of new mercy because of His amazing grace – unmerited favor on those who love and seek Him. 

This is my prayer for you … 

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.  That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
(taken from Philippians 1:9-11 NKJV)

This is the Day by Phil Wickham

Until next time, daily seek God’s discerning favor!

“I will give discerning favor to those who seek Me.”
- Jesus Christ

*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. 

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

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Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Hub. 
Note: Quote from "This is the Day" written by Phil and Mallory Wickham
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