7 day plan

The Favour of God

Day 7 of 7

NIVUK

2 Corinthians 6:2

2For he says,

‘In the time of my favour I heard you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you.’

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.

Reflection:

Everybody enjoys a day of deliverance. If we are living with a challenge that requires a breakthrough and then that day comes, it is a time for great joy. Or if we are living with non-resolution in a relationship and then healing comes through conversation and forgiveness, it is a beautiful day.

In today’s verse the Apostle Paul writes, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.” As we approach the celebration of the birth of Jesus it is good for us to realise afresh that Jesus ushered in a new day of the favour of God. Through his life and teaching and through his death and resurrection, Jesus opened the door for each of us to be right with God; he opened the door of God’s favour into our lives. Let us today declare, “Now is the time of God’s favour.”

Prayer:

God in heaven, thank you for Jesus. Today, I celebrate his coming to earth to teach us about who you are and to show us what you are like. Thank you that he gave his life on the cross so that I can experience your forgiveness and enter into your favour.

Days

2 Corinthians 6:1-18

1As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2For he says,

‘In the time of my favour I heard you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you.’

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s hardships

3We put no stumbling-block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonour, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13As a fair exchange – I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts also.

Warning against idolatry

14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

‘I will live with them

and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they will be my people.’

17Therefore,

‘Come out from them

and be separate,

says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you.’

18And,

‘I will be a Father to you,

and you will be my sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty.’