Romans 8:35

Devotional Thoughts

By Gary Wilkerson

What are some of the ways you know God’s favor is on you? You woke up this morning; you were able to take deep, cleansing breaths; you have people in your life who love you, and you have met a Savior named Jesus Christ. Do you feel Jesus walking with you today? Is he talking with you, caring for you, providing for you, giving you strength, smiling on you? All these things are but a portion of the fullness of his favor. Yes, definitely, God’s favor is on your life!

There are two schools of thought regarding God’s favor: one side says Christians should have the very best of everything at all times (the Rolls Royce, the mansion, the constant joy), and the other side expects constant struggle, suffering, pain and hardship. Neither extreme should become our mentality or our experience.

God is a good, loving Father, and he gives good gifts to his children; in other words, he loves to bless us. Any natural father or grandfather wants his children to be able to have a good home, ample provision, good schools and good health. However, if they should encounter struggles of some sort, he wants them to have strength and fortitude to withstand adversity. He does not step in and coddle or fight their battles for them.

Likewise, God does not pour “things” out on his children all the time just because we ask. In fact, sometimes he even has to discipline us, but we can be assured that his father heart understands all we are going through, and he expresses his favor by pouring out his grace as we grow in him.

God is for you and not against you! “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, ESV).           

The ultimate, extravagant favor of God is his presence in your life, working for you, supporting you, loving you at all times.