Things aren't going as you planned and you're waiting on God for answers or deliverance. You wonder if you’re doing something wrong and whether or not God is even listening.
Has He forgotten you even exist? Your thoughts take you to places you don't want to go emotionally and question, "Can’t He see what I’m going through and that I need help?" Does this sound about right?
I don’t know where you might be spiritually or if you have done anything to be out of fellowship with Him, but can assure you God is absolutely without question, aware of the what’s going on and definitely cares. Let me share a situation that might give insight on how God feels about those who seek Him for help.
The King Knew What to Do
In the Old Testament of the Bible, we read about a king who sinned against the Lord. In his distress King Manasseh needed God to intervene in a major way; he also knew what to do in order to receive God's favor on the situation. Let’s take a look.
"When he (the king) was distressed, he sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. He prayed to Him and the LORD was receptive to his prayer and granted his request." (from 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 CSB)
The key here is that the king did three things. Did you catch them?
First, Manasseh sought the Lord. In other words, he went searching for God in prayer instead of running away from the One he sinned against. He called out to God and faced the problem, knowing he was the one who needed to change.
Next, the king humbled himself before the Lord seeking forgiveness in order to become obedient to God. He earnestly, intently, seriously went before God knowing their relationship had been broken by him. He sought the Lord in order to make things right with God, and did what God had commanded from generations of his ancestors.
Finally, King Manasseh asked for help – “favor” - in prayer. Knowing all that happened, it leaves us wondering why did God answer his prayer? For the answer, we need to back up to the beginning of chapter 7 in Deuteronomy for the original promise to the people if Israel.
The Lord had given commands to the children of Israel for generations. He loved them and had set them aside for favor as His chosen people. The Lord "set" His heart making a covenant to those who would love Him and faithfully follow His commands. Basically, the king went back to the original covenant promise and started afresh with the LORD.
What Was, Still Is
Those who believe in Jesus are heir to the covenant promises as much as those of generations that have gone before us. The promises never change or expire - people do!
I believe in God's promises and that includes "the Lord will keep you from illness" (verse 15) or from harm. Although our bodies experience sickness or disease at times, it is a biblical right as an heir to the covenant promises of God, that we make our requests known to the Lord and walk in wisdom following His principles for receiving anything from Him. This includes slowing down and taking time to rest so you can heal or hear from the Lord.
That's what we have done these past months and literally for years. Time and time again God faithfully granted our requests as we sought Him, have a repenting heart and ask for His help in prayer knowing that without Him we can do nothing.
"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything (every circumstance and situation) by prayer and petition (asking) with thanksgiving, continue to make your (specific) requests known to God." (Philippians 4:6 AMP)
Search for God
Humble Yourself before God to Seek Forgiveness
Ask for God’s Help and Favor
Friend, don't give up on God or distance yourself from Him during this difficult time, or any time for that matter. Instead, run to Him trusting that He has not forgotten you. Restore your relationship with God right away; there’s not time to delay.
Let God know you are serious about getting right with Him and want to take the right steps. Your life can be restored to His favor with the peace that passes all understanding if you take action.
Go to a room or area where it is quiet and without distractions, even if it's only for a short time. With pen and paper in hand, pick up your Bible then sit down and by faith expect to hear from God.
"Lord, I set my mind and heart towards You alone. Reveal Yourself to me so that I may hear and do what You require of me."
Write down whatever the Holy Spirit places in your thinking and then act on it believing you have had a "word" from the Lord regarding the situation(s). Ponder, dwell, think on what you have heard and whether it has given you peace in your spirit.
Don't make excuses or try to reason out what you've heard. Search scriptures that target your circumstance and see how they line up with what you have written or heard in your spirit. If they do not meld, then it is not from the Lord - keep seeking!
"God will never tell you to do something that goes against His Word."
If there is anything standing between God and you, ask Him to forgive or make it known to you. Sometimes we aren't even aware that we're doing something to cause a breach in the flow of favor. It may not be you specifically, but something you're involved in or even people you associate with that are blocking your answers. Find out and resolve the issue(s) immediately (but don't look to blame others).
When you have repaired fellowship with God, then make your request for favor. Thank Him for the answer in advance, knowing that He is faithful to His promises and will deliver in His way and timing.
He Is Sustaining Me
There have been some extremely rough times in my Christian journey, with tests and tribulations when I never knew if I’d make it from one minute to the next. People have asked, “How do you do it?” I always answer, “I don’t. God is the One who is sustaining me.”
These past nine months (especially since hubby’s first brain bleed stroke in January) I have continually sought the Lord and His righteousness daily, knowing that somewhere I did or may have missed God in some way. Over and over, He has been faithful, walking with me through each trial and helping me to the other side of a situation despite episodes of anxiety, worry or fear.
Through the pain, anguish and suffering, each time His Word and Spirit leads me back to the path in which I am to follow that has His favor marked all over it! If I mess up I run to God and ask, "Show me what I've done and what I need to do to restore fellowship." He's always near and somehow, someway we get through whatever it is and become stronger.
I don't know how many are praying for God to move on behalf of my husband's situation (in which I am truly grateful), but I do know that His favor isn't a joke or some kind of magic. Neither is His favor given just because we want it, but it's given out of His grace and covenant love.
God alone determines when, where and if His favor will be given. Our job is to seek His presence, obey Him by faith then ask for God's favor believing He will show up at the right time and in the right place when we need Him the most. Trust Him; God has not forgotten you. He is faithful and desires to restore favor.
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it," (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 BSB)
God Has Not Forgotten You by Youth Harmony
Until next time, seek to be restored to God’s favor!
“I long to restore favor to My people.” – Jesus Christ
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