By Dr. Rebekah McCloud

I want to share with you a retelling of a story[1] about a holy man on a pilgrimage. Along the way, he took refuge in a cave. There he found a huge diamond. He immediately thanked God for it because he knew what it could mean to his family, his church and his community. He put it in his sack and settled down for the night.

The next morning, he continued on his journey but was accosted by a thief. “What do you have of value in that bag? Give it to me,” demanded the thief.

The holy man handed over the gem and went to sit under a tree where he ate his mid-day meal. The thief scampered off and put the diamond in his hiding place. All day long, the thief thought about how rich he would be. Just before dusk, he took the diamond from his hiding place to hold it in his hands once more.

Abruptly, gem in hand, he set out to find the holy man. He found him asleep under the tree. “Awake, old man. I no longer want this thing,” said the thief. “I want the other thing you have. The thing that made you give up this thing so easily. I want that thang.”

The holy man simply stretched out his hand and said, “All is well, my son.”

You all can use your imagination to finish the story. My question to you is what’s that thang? Back in the day, Jimmy Hendrix sang about “Wild Thang.” The Isley Brothers said, “It’s Your Thang.” And Heavy D said, “We’ve Got our Own Thang.” What’s that thang?

I don’t want to talk about those things that Paul says “so easily beset us.” I don’t want to talk about the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. For I know to every thing there is a season. Instead, I want to talk about that thang the Holy man had. That thang we should or could have. That thang that makes us not just say, but know, all is well. That thang is the favor of God.

The favor of God is upon my life. We say it every Sunday. But Grace, let’s not get it twisted, favor doesn’t mean all of our bills will be paid, we’ll never be sick, we’ll never have adversity or our cup will always run over. On the contrary. I believe God’s favor is closely aligned with God’s grace. So, in any situation, it is well. What’s that thang?

Pastor Steven Furtick says “God’s favor doesn’t always look like you think it looks. A lot of people ask for favor with God and turn around expecting favors from Him. There’s a big difference between the two. God’s favor is the guarantee of His presence and the provision of His power to accomplish His special purpose in and through your life. It’s intended not for your convenience, but for His purpose, and it doesn’t mean your life is going to get any easier. In fact, it almost certainly guarantees that your life is going to get harder.”[2] Amen.

Just ask Abraham who was God’s friend; or Moses who met God face-to face and saw his glory; or Enoch who walked with God; or David, a man after God’s own heart; or Noah who heeded God’s voice. You can also ask Jonah or Mary or Joseph or Daniel or Solomon or John or Paul. All had that thang, the favor of God.

Isaiah 66:2 says in part, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” The Bible goes on to say in Proverbs 8:35, “For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD.” Amen.

The word favor is found in the King James Version of the Bible over 70 times. That mean it’s important. Yet, that thang, God’s favor doesn’t mean you’ll never be sick. It means that his grace will be sufficient for thee. It doesn’t mean you won’t have adversity. Psalms 30:5 in part says, “his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Hallelujah!

I want that thang! I can see wonderful things in God’s law. I know that old things are passed way, and behold all things become new. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, because with God all things are possible. Let’s give him the glory for great things he has done. That thang, his favor will last for a lifetime! Amen.

[1] Adapted from A. de Mello, (2007). The Diamond at  http://anthony-de-mello.blogspot.com/2007/11/diamond.html.

[2] Furtick, S. (n.d.). Walking in the Favor of God. Found at https://inspiration.org/christian-articles/walking-in-the-favor-of-god/