Living in the Favor of GOD!

Posted on October 10, 2013 by touchingheavenministries

 

There is much in life that is unpredictable; our health, world affairs, and the behavior of others to name three. This unpredictability becomes significant only because much of our life is predictable; our routines at work and home. Other people are predictable; the relative who will talk your ear off, the friend who loves controversy, the colleague who always has a smile.

But what about GOD, is GOD predictable? Is there a set pattern to GOD’s encounters with us? Do our encounters with GOD have a predictable effect on us? That is one of the issues the prophet Joel addresses in this passage. The prophecy that bears his name is short, only three chapters. The three chapters focus on a single problem. There is a national crisis; a plague of locusts. Joel sees this plague as an onset of the “the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.” (Joel 2:31 NKJV), which is mentioned five times in the book. Joel goes onto say that this day, “it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32 NKJV) It is a familiar theme for the Hebrew prophets. The day of the Lord is a day when GOD will go to war with His enemies.

This event in the history of Israel is meant to be a warning to GOD’s people, including us. We too, have locusts in our lives that serve as wake-up calls; a tragedy, a failure, people who seek to harm us. The result of these locusts in our day is that, “Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men.” (1:12 NKJV). Joel’s word to believers of both his day and ours is simple: these “locusts” are pointing us to GOD. That does not mean of course that, GOD has sent the locusts, although, GOD may have. It does mean that GOD can use these events in our lives to draw us closer to Him.

If that is true, what should our response be to the locusts in our lives? Some fight back when they feel attacked. Others work harder in their personal or spiritual lives. Some become depressed and shut down. Still others play the blame game and try to find someone responsible for the difficulties they are facing.

Faithful men and women, wisely turn to GOD. When a person does this, they can expect criticism. Friends may suggest that it is hypocritical to turn to GOD in a time of personal crisis. “Why did you not turn to GOD in the good times?” they might ask. Interestingly, GOD never suggests in Scripture to turn to Him in our time of comfort. GOD encourages us to turn to Him in our times of crisis and GOD celebrates in our time of comfort. Joel says that GOD can and will do something about the locusts. GOD waits on us to place our faith in Him. Then, GOD acts on our behalf.

Joel contends that GOD always responds when His people repent. GOD responds by putting things right. The Lord protects us from our enemies. GOD comes to provide for our basic needs and comes to comfort us in our sorrow and despair.

If this is the way GOD responds to the negative events in our lives, how should we respond to GOD’s intervention? Some might lapse back into a spiritual lethargy. Some might take GOD’s intervention for granted. Joel envisions a day when the people of Israel respond as they should. They will respond to GOD’s intervention by living in a new way. This new way of living is the life of the Spirit.

Joel contends that when we respond to GOD in faith, he will pour out his Spirit on us; regardless of our age, gender, or status. This is a new idea; in the Old Testament GOD’s Spirit is poured out on individuals, such as; prophets, kings, leaders. The Spirit resides in a person as long as they are doing GOD’s will. Once their task is completed, the Spirit leaves them. Joel envisions a day when the Spirit is poured out on all GOD’s people and remains with them.

The result of this gift from GOD is wonderful, that unexpected things will be seen. Everyone will testify to GOD’s goodness. All the children of GOD will testify, as we might expect, men, women, and children will also testify. This is a sign of a new world.

Of course, Christians understand this new world to be the kingdom of GOD. They believe this new world began at Pentecost, when followers of Jesus received the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. These disciples went out into the streets of Jerusalem and witnessed to what they had seen and heard. Peter’s sermon at Pentecost is the summary of what these first Christians were telling their Jerusalem neighbors. It is a reaffirmation of Joel’s message: repent, turn to GOD, experience GOD’s blessing, receiving the Holy Spirit, and entering the kingdom of GOD. Peter makes clear that this has all been made possible through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who, he claims, is the promised Messiah.

Joel’s little book presents us with a timeline. It is a timeline for Israel, but it is also a timeline for our own lives. Each of us must decide where we are on that timeline. Are you living with the locusts? This is the initial stage where a person realizes that there is a problem and that they need help.

Are you turning to GOD? Have you come to the conclusion that GOD, can and will help. It is the realization that you need to ask for His help? This is the second stage.

Have you turned to GOD? As a result, are you enjoying GOD’s blessings? This is where many Christians are today. They have turned to GOD, GOD has responded, they are enjoying their “blessed status.”

Or, are you living in the “favored status” of the Holy Spirit? This is where GOD wants you to be. If you are living in the favor of the Holy Spirit, you are telling others about what GOD has done and wants to do. You are sharing what GOD has done for you and encouraging others to join you in this wonderful new life in the Holy Spirit of GOD.

Bishop JD Sparks
Touching Heaven Ministries