If you could choose between being successful or defeated, which would you prefer? I’m going to assume you answered, “Successful.” Why? Because I believe that God has placed a desire in each person to succeed and overcome.
Even while I was an unbeliever I wanted to be successful at what I did. Then after being saved I discovered that God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His children (Psalm 35:27)! It’s God’s plan for His children to succeed.
Most Christians go through life with this tremendous ability to prosper and succeed but never tap into it or learn to appropriate it. And instead of experiencing the abundant life Jesus paid for them to have, they live life below their privileges as a child of God.
1 Peter 2:9 says “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…” There is something that makes you different from the rest of the world!
What is it that makes you so special? The primary difference (out side of salvation) is God’s blessing and favor. God has empowered you to be superior to your circumstances. What affects others doesn’t have to affect you.
We see this truth in the story of the life of Joseph. The blessing and favor of God on his life produced opportunities to excel and to rise above what could be considered the worst of circumstances.
Without taking a lot of time to explain all the scriptures that tell his story, let me remind you that God gave Joseph a dream regarding his future. When he told his brothers about it, they hated him and began to plot to get rid of him. After they considered killing him, they eventually sold him as a slave and he ended up in Egypt serving a man named Potiphar (and you thought you were having a bad year.) Now, at this point, it certainly doesn’t look as though the blessing of God is working for him.
Some people may have the mistaken idea that when the blessing is on you then you’ll never face any adversity again. That’s not true—you will!
The good news is if you know how to appropriate and activate God’s favor, then you will OVERCOME whatever adversity you may be facing!
Even while Joseph was a slave serving Potiphar, Genesis 39:2-4 says, “And the Lord was with Joseph…and he was a prosperous man.” In the middle of some of the worst circumstances, the Lord made all that he did to flourish and succeed. This impressed Potiphar and He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide.
Everything seemed to be looking up for Joseph, but then all of a sudden he’s blindsided by another major setback. You know the story…Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, then lied about him to her husband and Joseph was thrown into prison.
Joseph didn’t yield to this distraction. It was indeed a major setback, but here’s the good news – setbacks are not final if you’ll keep your eyes on God.
God’s favor promoted Joseph and he ran the prison (Genesis 39:21)!
Joseph’s story doesn’t end there. The favor of God was still at work in Joseph’s life. Pharaoh, the most powerful man in Egypt, had a dream that none of his advisers could interpret. When he learned that a Hebrew slave in prison named Joseph could interpret dreams, he called for him.
What’s happening? The favor of God is once again producing an opportunity for promotion.
Once Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, Pharaoh promoted Joseph to a position of power, second only to himself.
Ultimately, God’s plan of victory and success was realized in Joseph’s life. It was just a matter of time! Through all the negative circumstances, setbacks and years of waiting, God’s blessing and favor caused Joseph to rise above the worst of situations.
If you are facing challenges and it doesn’t look as though it’s going to work out for you, refuse to be distracted by the negative things that happen in your life. That doesn’t mean that the blessing isn’t working!
If you continue to stay focused on God and what He has promised you, then His favor is going to produce an opportunity for you to rise above your adversity.
Joseph kept his attitude right. He did not allow his circumstances to distract him and neither should you.
Don’t ever stop counting on the blessing to work in your life. Don’t ever give up on God’s favor—it will produce an opportunity for you to rise above whatever you may be going through!
One of the greatest lessons you can learn while waiting to see the blessing and favor manifest is to AVOID COMPLAINING and MURMURING, and AVOID BECOMING DISTRACTED BY THE FACT THAT IT DOESN’T APPEAR THAT ANYTHING IS HAPPENING.
It’s not over just because you’ve had a setback! It’s not over just because it hasn’t happened yet! You may be going through what seems to be the worst setbacks you’ve ever experienced, but just remember, it’s not over yet.
There is a wealth of wisdom that can be obtained from studying the story of Joseph, but the main thing that I want you to see is how the blessing of God is the empowerment to prosper and the favor of God produces the opportunities to make it happen.
The blessing of God and the favor of God are working behind the scenes on your behalf right now.
There are ministry plans that I have believed for many years…decades even! No matter how much time passes or the number of setbacks we may face, I am committed to trusting God and His favor. He has come through every time!
There are more people to encourage, more families to restore, more lost that need the good news! Many Christians are being held back by religion, lies, and distractions and are tempted to quit. God has a better plan for their life and He has called this ministry to teach the truth to them—the truth that will set them free!
As you give this month, you will enable me to continue encouraging you and many others with the truth of God’s Word. I stand in agreement with you that you will reap a bountiful harvest on your seed of generosity.
To give simply visit our offering page to conveniently and securely give online. By giving your will receive this month’s teaching resource, Distinctively Different, Unique, and Special. This message will inspire your faith and cause you to hold fast to the dreams that God has given you.
Whenever you face hard times, know that I am praying for you, I believe in you, and that the blessing and favor of God have empowered you to overcome!
In Him,
Jerry Savelle
P.S. I want to hear from you. Going through a hard time? Let us know so we can pray for you. Believing God for favor? Let us know so that we can agree with you. I would also love to hear about how this ministry is making a difference in your life. Send us your testimony or prayer request today or email us at [email protected]
