29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” ~ Mark 10:29-31
Remember Joseph? Joseph was loved by God. He was blessed and highly favored. But still, he was hated by his brothers, who sold him into slavery. Someone will ask, how can that be favor? Being sold into slavery by his own brothers who hate him, is that really favor? Not only that but he was falsely accused of attempted rape and thrown into prison. Is that favor?
Favor, as defined in Webster’s New World Dictionary, means:
friendly or kind regard; good will; approval; liking
It doesn’t mean that you will spend your life wallowing in the lap of luxury and sleeping on a bed of roses. The favor and grace of God come with a price. There is a price to pay, but the reward is way, way greater. The reward is eternal life without all of the cares and worries of this world.
- Never again to persecuted
- Never again to hungry or thirsty
- Never again will we be scared or worried
- Never again will we be concern over things
- No more tears
- No more sad goodbyes
- Because there will be no more death
- No more lies, or murders, or cheating
- There will be eternal peace and the eternal joy of the LORD
When the LORD returns for us, we will be rewarded for all that we have gone through for the sake of His name. Right now, you may be feeling the hatred of the world, but if you turn your focus to the love of God, their hatred won’t tear you down. It won’t destroy you or depress you. Why? Because when you focus on the favor of the LORD, His love surrounds you, encourages you, and gives you hope.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Hold Tight To This Hope.