Fear or Favor?

Genesis 6 (NIV)
v8. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
v13. So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.
v14a. So make yourself an ark …

It's sad to say, but many Christians including myself; find it hard to operate in the favor of God, especially when it involves doing something we’ve never done before.

We all know Noah’s story. God had decided that mankind had become so wicked that he would destroy them all, with the exception of Noah and his family. The scripture says that Noah had found favor in the eyes of God, and because Noah chose to operate in that favor, he was not fearful of the destruction that was to come. Because Noah chose to operate in that favor he was able to do something he had Never done before, build an ark. It was operating in God’s favor that revealed to Noah the talent for ark building that he didn’t even know he possessed!! And to top it all off, operating in the favor of the Lord not only blessed Noah, but also blessed those closest to him!!!

So here’s the deal, God has given each of us gifts and talents that He expects us to use to His honor, His Glory and His purpose; some of these gifts/talents we are aware of and some we are not . In any case there is a decision we must make. Are we going to operate in fear and Never have any of our gifts and talents manifested or are we going to operate in God’s favor and fulfill His true purpose for our lives.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalms 90:17 (NIV)

Many of us (me included) are continually praying to God for financial blessings for ourselves and our family, and God is saying to us, STOP IT!! I have given you a talent and I have given you favor. If you really wanted a financial blessings you would operate in My favor that is resting on you and establish (launch) that business I gave you a talent for or you would use the gifts I have given you to establish (create) increased income in your life!

With our mouths we tell others “I am Blessed and Highly Favored”, but with our actions we say I’m afraid; but of what? Maybe it’s the fear of failing or being rejected! But how do we know we will fail or be rejected if we never try?

One thing I know I will need to keep in the forefront of my mind is, “God calls us to do only what He equips us for”. So if I’m operating in God’s favor and following the leading of the Holy Spirit no matter what it looks like, I'm going to accomplish exactly what God would have me to! And as far as being rejected is concerned, well I’m just going to have to get over myself!!!! You see, if I’m operating in the favor of God for His honor, His Glory and His purpose, it’s not me who is being rejected but God, and for sure, He is more than able to handle that.

So my brothers and Sisters we have a decision to make, what will be our M.O. (Modus operandi), Fear or Favor?