"Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield."
Psalms 5:12
I love that we can all experience God's favor. It's not limited to just a few people, but it is limited to those that seek Him. Does this righteousness mean we have to be perfect? No. "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
Our faith in Jesus and our pursuit of Him is when favor is given. Jesus said, "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." How would a loving Father not favor a child that adores Him and is obedient to His Word? As a parent, when a child shows love and adoration it melts your heart. My little cousin is two years old and when you walk in the room, he comes running full speed to give you a hug. He makes you feel so loved! I can't fathom how much our Heavenly Father loves it when we worship Him and tell Him we love Him like a child.
Jesus instructed His disciples in John14 to love Him, obey His teaching, and that when they pray to ask in His name. For comparison, it is like having an amazing older brother that has a group of friends that would do anything for him. If he told you to go tell the group of friends that he said to help you do something, then they would gladly do it. It's not because they know you, but because they love him, and you came to them asking in his name. When Jesus is our Savior AND our friend, we can have confidence as we approach the throne of grace because we ask in Jesus' name and the Father hears us!
Our promised land can look far away, and our prayers can seem unanswered, but that is not the truth. The LORD has plans we don't always understand. What we must remain confident of is that we are His children, and He is a good Father. His favor will surround us and turn whatever our mess is into a victory and message. "For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them." Psalms 44:3
Your promise land may not need to be fought for, it may just require you to keep your eyes on Jesus so that His light can cover you in favor and lead the way. God bless you!!
Dig Deeper
Isaiah 61:10 | Psalm 37:5-6 | Psalm 34:15 | Proverbs 21:21