FAVOR AIN'T FAIR!

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Today's Passage: Genesis chapter 37

Memory Verse> Gen. 37:20

A couple of years ago, Bishop T. D. Jakes preached a sermon titled 'Favor Ain't Fair'.  His premise was that if you want the favor of God, you're going to have to come to grips with a few things.  For instance, having favor and being liked by everyone won't always be the case.  Also, having favor and being a cookie-cut version of everyone else won't work either.  At the end of the day however, favor will supernaturally bring things into your life that cost those without it a lot of time, attention, and energy to acquire.  So having favor is not a bad thing, it's just that the favored have to be willing to stand firm until it brings them in to their destiny.

One of the things I didn't mention before is the rejection.  I purposely left it out of the introduction because I didn't want to scare you away from the devotional.  You must know, however, that favor sometimes brings rejection.  As certain people begin to recognize you have favor, the enemy uses them to try to convince you that there's something wrong with it.  How do you deal with rejection?  More importantly, how do you deal with it when it comes from those you love?  Does it shut you down, or motivate you?  Let's look at Joseph in today's passage for insight.  Joseph was a kid who had his father's favor because he was conceived in his old age.  Israel so loved Joseph (you know the story) he made him a coat of many colors. 

As we go deeper into the story, however, we find that Joseph not only had Israel's favor, he had God's favor.  He was so favored in fact, that God began to show him visions of his destiny.  Problem was, the visions revealed his father and brothers would be submitted to him.  Therefore, when Joseph told his father and brothers about his dream (moon and stars), even his father had a hard time with it.  His brothers began to resent him more and more as the days went by.  Let's face it, folks: when you're favored, not everyone will be able to handle it, and because of that, you can't discuss the visions and dreams you have with them.  They won't understand.  They won't rejoice with you.  And they'll prey on you instead of pray for you. 

So understand my friends, that the favor on your life is not fair.  You don't have it because of something you did or someone you know.  You have it because the Lord has need of you.  There is a purpose ahead He needs you to fulfill.  Now don't you run away.  Position yourself.  Stand firm in the pit all alone.  Stand firm when nobody seems to want you around.  Stand firm when the fear comes.  If you stand firm, you'll soon discover that the thing that led you to your pit will be the exact thing that leads you to your promise.  What do I mean?  I mean if Joseph had not been thrown into the pit and subsequently sold into slavery, his father and brothers would have starved to death in the famine.  So you see, favor ain't fair.  But if you trust God, you'll find that it's necessary.

Prayer:  Father, I thank You for the favor that You've shown me throughout my life.  I also thank You for the grace to stand through the persecution and the rejection I've faced because of it.  I set my face now towards the direction of the destiny You've prepared for me to walk out.  May my heart remain open and forgiving even towards the ones who have inflicted the pain, because it was necessary to accomplish Your purpose.  Thank You for ordering my steps as I bring You glory.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.