In yesterday's blog I mentioned how we feel God's favor when we are worn out and just rest in His presence. I want to expand that thought tonight and help us understand why we feel His favor (or pleasure). It comes back to the idea that God loves us and when we are doing His will He smiles down upon us. That is the favor or pleasure of God that we feel. Fasting is hard and maybe we don't necessarily feel good while we are doing it but God, nevertheless, is pleased. In fact, He is always pleased when we are doing His will. We must remember that He created fasting. It is a biblical concept. (Isaiah 58)
The favor of God increases when we are doing what He created us to do. Some will feel His pleasure when they preach, or teach, maybe serve the poor, etc. I personally feel his favor (pleasure) when I fast. That is probably the main motivation behind why I host "40 days" every year.
The following quote is from a famous movie called Chariots of Fire. It chronicles the life of missionary Eric Liddell when he was young and an olympic runner. His sister was angry that he was wasting so much time running instead of preparing to be a missionary and this is what he says, "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." I love that statement. When Eric Liddell was running he felt God's pleasure with him. It was because he was doing what God created him to do. You may remember that Eric Liddell is the man who refused to run in the 100 meter race in the olympics because it was held on a Sunday, even though it was his best event. He went on to win the 400 meter a few days later. Eric Lidell eventually made it to China as a missionary but during his so called un-spiritual running career he changed the western world as we know it. (Tebow comes to mind right now)
Let us find what God has created us to do and then pursue it with a passion. It is within that place of purpose that you will feel His pleasure like never before.
Thank you so much for this post! God has been dealing with my heart about doing what He created me to do. To be honest, I'm wrestling with that issue as we enter this years P4P/F. Your words were confirmation and I wanted you to know that I appreciate your obedience to Him.
Posted by: Donna Kramer | January 12, 2012 at 11:13 PM