God's Favourites 1

Saturday 9 January
READ: Isa 43: 3 - 4
MORE LESSON: Acts 10: 34 – 35

The level of access you have to a person is dependent on your relationship with him. Relationship determines what flows in your direction; therefore what you get from a man is determined by your relationship with him. In the same way, what you get from God depends on your relationship with Him. I want you to know that God has favourites. God is not a respecter of persons and He is not partial (Acts 10: 34). At the same time, He does not give everybody the same level of favour and blessing. Remember that God destroyed the host of Egypt in the Red Sea so that the children of Israel might live. In fact, in Isa. 43: 3, God declared without any remorse that He gave Egypt, Ethiopia and Sheba as ransom for Israel. Why would God, who created everybody, strike three nations dead so that one could be preserved? The answer is revealed in the next verse, Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. Isa 43:4 (NKJV).

God gave up Egypt, Ethiopia and Sheba to redeem Israel because Israel was His favourite. God is impartial but His impartiality is not in the absence of favourites; it is in the fact that everyman is allowed to determine his place in God's favour. God has favourites but He gives an open chance for anyone who will do the things that are acceptable to Him to win His favour, regardless of gender, race, tribe or genealogy.

Always remember that it is your relationship with God that determines where you stand in His favour. Know also that there are different degrees of relationship with God and the choice is yours where you stand with Him. There are those who He doesn't know at all (Lk. 13: 27). But as many as believe Him become His sons (Jn. 1: 12). Some go ahead to please Him especially and become His friends, like Abraham did (Isa. 41: 8). The disciples of Jesus also served Him till their relationship with Him changed from being mere servants to friends (Jn. 15: 14 – 15). David loved God and desired intimacy with Him so much that he was called a man after the heart of God (Acts 13: 22). Enoch also walked so closely with God as a friend that God took Enoch away without him seeing death. That is exceptional favour! You are the one that determines where you stand with God.

I want you to know that you can choose to become God's favourite today. The first step is to give your heart to Him if you have not done that already. However, even after that, your righteousness, obedience, love, sacrifice, service and intimacy with God continue to place you in a position of favour with Him.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God that Heaven will remain open over you.
* Pray that nothing will hinder your access to God’s throne.
* Declare that you are God’s favourite and all benefits will reach you today.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
In 2016, God will honour my destiny with all-round thanksgiving, in the mighty name of Jesus.