Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

Last week I went on a sunny prayer walk with my dear friend. As we walked and prayed we began to declare the heavens to open up over the earth and as we did a cloud appeared over us and the rain began to pour. Of a matter of fact it poured so hard that we became absolutely drenched! The next day I received a message from a friend who lives in Switzerland. She had gone out for a sunny day bike ride and felt to pray for me. When she did it began to rain on her with such force that her message said, “I was drenched!” She had no idea what had happened to me the previous day. This morning when I woke up I heard the Spirit speak to me and say, “Tell My people to get ready to be drenched in My favor!”

The Word of God is such a rich resource of wisdom and ways to live by. God’s teaching leads us upon paths of joy and favor. Throughout scripture we are exhorted to trust the Lord and to keep all of His ways (His decrees and commands). Blessings, favor and even long life follow those who submit their lives to His Word.

In Proverbs 3 we are given many instructions on how to live and all of the blessings that follow us as we do so. The first verses begins with an instruction that has a beautiful promise attached to them,

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being.” Proverbs 3:1-2

According to the dictionary, “well-being” is defined as the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. I don’t know anyone who does not want comfort, health and happiness!

But there is so much more,

“Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. THEN you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.”

Often dogs are known as “loyal.” A great example of this is with our youngest son and his dog, Kiera. He has had his dog since he was a young teenager and she is so loyal and faithful to him. This past year, my son had to move out on his own (into a small apartment) and he was working very long days. Since Kiera is a large dog he would return home and find that she was not doing well cooped up in an apartment alone for so many hours. She wasn’t eating and seemed depressed. Some friends of his fiancée (now bride) offered to let his dog live with them on their acreage until our son has a different living situation.

Though it was a hard decision to make, he knew that this was best for his loyal pup. It has now been about seven months that she has lived with this couple (who spoils her and loves her) and yet, when our son goes to visit her she will run to him with howls of delight and lay on top of his feet the entire time he is there. Why, because she is loyal to him! Though others feed her, love her, walk her and spend all day with her— her loyalty is still with our son. She would rather be with him then anyone else; just sitting at his feet brings her comfort and happiness.

Oh, that we would have such loyalty to God. If only all of His sons and daughters would find such joy and comfort in sitting at His feet and spending time with Him, the church would be a more beautiful place. But the reality is that many treat spending time with Him like a chore or heavy burden but that is because they have yet to discover the beautiful bond of loyalty with Him. And— it is loyalty that produces faithfulness!

Let’s go on with Proverbs 3. The next verses say this,

“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways; and He will guide you on the right paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Just as my son’s dog would follow him anywhere, so should our trust, loyalty and faithfulness cause us to follow Him upon the paths He leads us down— even when we do not understand! When God asked our family to move this past January from our home on the West Coast to the Washington DC region, we had NO understanding of why. Yet, we have discovered that as we trust Him and follow Him down the paths He leads us on that they surely are revealed as “the right path.” They don’t always feel good or right at first but as we remain at His feet we find favor with God and man in the places that He leads us to. Our trust is in HIM not in a place or a particular path.

Proverbs 3 does not end with verse 6 but goes on for 35 verses that give instructions, wisdom and all that we gain as we follow His teachings. They are wealth to our lives. Promises such as, “He blesses the home of the righteous…”

There is a need for God’s people to be walking in the supernatural favor that is offered to us now more than ever before. The favor of God will do more to help us than any college degree, employment resume or gift. When the favor with man is added to the favor of God then we see a partnership with heaven and earth that begins to open up doors that we could have never imagined.

I believe that there is a setting apart of those who trust the Lord with all their heart and who will become loyal and faithful to all of His ways. Lukewarmness is being revealed as unbelief and disloyalty; yet, in the love and mercy of God He is imploring (making an earnest or desperate appeal) to those who are lukewarm to become fully faithful and loyal to all of His ways. He longs to bless them with favor and happiness! He desires to lead them on right paths and to pour out His favor upon them. What a loyal and faithful God we serve!

When we have favor we receive beyond what is normal or even due. I am constantly overwhelmed by the favor with God and man that has been given to me. It is so beyond what is due and yet He rewards my trust and faithfulness. Often I am in awe of the benefits of His favor; knowing that there are many that are more qualified for what He allows me to do. He rewards my trust in Him more than He looks at my qualifications. He knows that I will follow Him and will be loyal to Him.

Favor is the key that will open more doors for you than any gift or qualification that you will ever have. Your talents, your good looks, your degrees (education), your determination and your persuasiveness are lost in the crowd of others a million other similarly qualified people; but the favor of God (and man) will trump them all!

Ephesians 2:8 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Grace is favor and God’s favor is the power that changes things for us!

God’s favor is resting upon His sons
and daughters in this hour! Trust Him with all your heart and nurture loyalty even when you do not understand! He is looking for those who do not need to be put on a leash to follow Him but who will follow because they’ve “tied loyalty and faithfulness around their neck” and will never leave His side.

Favor is about to drench the faithful!!

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Thank you to all of my loyal and faithful friends who have stood with us in prayer and financial support during this year. We pray for you continuously and know that favor is being added to your life and household.

If you would like to support our ministry with a financial gift of support, go to: https://www.inscribeministries.com/