favored and cherished

“The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he arrived and saw this proof of God’s favor, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.”

Acts 11: 21-23

Favor

·      an attitude of approval or liking

·      support or advancement given as a sign of approval

·      overgenerous preferential treatment

·      an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual

Old French from Latin favor, from favere ‘show kindness to’ (related to fovere ‘cherish’).

My child,

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, what do you think he found that showed him proof of my favor? Did he find the believers there living in the lap of luxury? Did he see my favor in their extravagant banquet tables and beautiful homes? No, unlike many people in your culture, the believers in Antioch were not living like that.

But what he saw was the greatest possible display of my favor. My profound favor, my infinite kindness, was displayed because I brought people, like you, into life-giving, eternal relationship with me.

Through my Spirit, each believer in Antioch had the opportunity, moment by moment, to experience the supernatural gift of my love, grace, peace, joy, strength, wisdom and so much more. Just as you do.

I am the God who holds the Galaxies in place. And I desire to nourish tender connection with a single human heart - like your heart. You were pondering this morning how I can be infinitely vast and individually devoted to you, all in the same moment.

Although this truth is beyond your grasp, I have given you a taste of that reality. Today I will tend to the business of managing the universe and show you personally evidence of my favor.

Our eternal, vibrant communion will fill your heart with great joy. That is the highest proof of my favor.

I love you,

Abba

My Abba,

These meanings of favor shed some new light on our relationship. I like thinking about how our relationship alone is proof of your approval of me.

Thank you that you approve of me (make me acceptable and good) forever, through your provision for my sin. I am enjoying my blameless status in your eyes because of Christ.  That is proof of your support, and definitely “overgenerous, preferential treatment, an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.”

I love that the word for favor has it roots in the word, “cherish.” I feel favored and cherished this morning because you, Eternal God, have chosen to connect with, and invest in, me.

Thank you for giving me the gift of this glimpse of your love for me. It is beyond delightful when I experience, even, a whisper of your affection. Please fuel my love for you and give me a stronger sense of how you cherish me.

I don’t want my days to roll out like aimless, loose coins scattering across my future. I want an intentional daily deepening of what I am experiencing this morning with you – sensing each day as more saturated with your love than the last.

Let your incomparable favor encourage my faithfulness to you today.

I love you,

Mollie

photo: ponchaisang

NLT