RR Some Hindrances By David Harwood

Shabbat Shalom,

Beloved, do you believe that you are favored by Almighty God?

One of our natural characteristics is that we mistrust Him. I believe it is a genetic consequence of the fall exacerbated by our histories, cultures, and “the worldly forces of this darkness, ... the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12b).”

We tend to mistrust our Father’s goodness.

Believing in God’s goodness takes Spirit empowered revelation. There is much in what we see and experience that militates against this. Closely connected to mistrusting His goodness is our difficulty in relying upon our Father’s favor. We tend to doubt His charis.

It can be difficult to believe that we are favored. There are some common hindrances to the experience of this reality. Let’s peruse a couple of them.

First of all, there’s simple unbelief.

To overcome, it’s important to recognize that we’re not asked to believe anything false. Some things need to be deliberately settled. We’re not to be double-minded. Take a look at this:

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting—for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord— he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8)

This same principle applies to receiving favor. Favor can be found within the category of “anything from the Lord.”

There is an answer to double mindedness.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded! (James 4:8)

To combat our doubts, consider Calvary and Yeshua’s resurrection vindication.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Favor is a manifestation of love. Meditate on these demonstrations from the standpoint of a love which reveals itself as favor (charis/grace). As with our experience of God’s love we can always grow in our appreciation of His favor. Let’s do so.

Doubting God’s favor can be conquered. Let’s put our feet on its neck.

Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come forward and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came forward and put their feet on their necks. (Joshua 10:24b)

I think this next hindrance is common. Many have an overly developed, unhealthy tendency towards introspection. it’s an obsessive compulsive thought pattern. Those who wrote our scriptures did not suffer from this. They had a rather robust view of their own righteousness.

Consider David’s professions of righteousness.

Vindicate me, Adonai, according to my righteousness and integrity in me. (Psalm 7:8b)

... Adonai rewarded me for my righteousness, for the cleanness of my hands in His eyes. (Psalm 18:24)

Can you imagine speaking of yourself this way?

One might not be aware that Shaul (Paul) viewed himself similarly. Look at his self-description.

... as for Torah righteousness, found blameless. (Philippians 3:6b)

If your conscience has been weaponized against you, and you don’t consider yourself to be worthy of God’s favor, you may need to go to war with your own ethics and repent. You might be “holier than God.”

Someone might remonstrate, “I’m so bad God wouldn’t favor me.” I might refer you to these verses:

 “Messiah Yeshua came into the world to save sinners”—of whom I am foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15b)

... where sin increased, grace (charis/favor) overflowed even more (Romans 5:20b)

Yeshua’s favor is towards us. Yeshua favors you.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat1-Nov-202510th of Cheshvan, 5786 Parashat Lech-Lecha
Ge 17:7-27Isa 40:27-41:16Ro 4:1-12