Restored to God’s Favor
You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Restored-to-Gods-Favor-e1si9k3
II Corinthians 5:19
It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but canceling them] and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week.
Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth.
“It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.”
We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.”
So undeserved and yet so graciously given.
We are offered favor with the Lord.
Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe.
Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect.
He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
He chose difficulty over ease.
Living two thousand years ago was hard.
I imagine nothing about Jesus’ life was easy.
And yet, He was willing to come to this earth to save us all.
The One and only true Super-Hero.
The One Who came to restore the world to favor with God Himself.
Cancelling our trespasses, sins, and shortcomings in God’s eyes.
Making us perfect in God’s sight.
We have so much to be thankful for in Christ.
We are saved.
We are grafted into God’s royal family.
We are called God’s children.
And we have eternity to spend with Him.
Today I choose to hold Jesus’ sacrifice close to my heart as I continue to make plans to celebrate His birth.
May you find God’s graciousness is spilled over into all the areas of your life even as the busyness of this Season continues.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, thank You for beauty of this Christmas Season. As we move through the busyness that accompanies this season, help us reflect on Your immense grace. Help us hold Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice close to our hearts. His whole life was a sacrifice as He left the perfection of heaven’s door. He gave unselfishly in every way. Help us give of ourselves, Father. Keep us from being selfish or stingy. Help us give freely and abundantly to those around us. We pray for strength to do all You ask us to do, Lord. Help us serve with a joyful heart. Help us bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing our prayer.
Answer: I gave My Son to bring you close to Me for you are beautiful to Me, and I want to be close to you.
Response: Undeserving of all You have done for us, thank You most gracious and merciful God. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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