Through the years you may have heard me say, FAVOR AIN’T FAIR, well THAT’S MY STORY AND I’M STICKING TO IT. From 1978 until 1981, while in my seasons of prayer, the name of the city Cincinnati, would come rolling out of my spirit, like unction of a prophecy. I thought to myself, Man! someone in Cincinnati must have a real problem. This happened for three years and it happened often. Finally, one day I asked a friend if he knew someone in Cincinnati. He immediately went to my office phone and made a call and handed me the phone. I had a brief conversation with a gentleman on the phone, mentioning to him that for some unknown reason I had a burden for the area. That was all there was to the conversation, all of these things took place in the summer of 1981. On October the 8th, GayNell and I came to speak at Heritage and I can honestly tell you that I only came because at that time I had a burden. GayNell, will be quick to tell you, another side of the story. In the next six weeks we came with a caravan and began to make our way to the Greater Cincinnati-Tri State area and forty years later we can say with David, “the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, I have a Godly heritage.” Actually, The Passion Translation reads like this, Psalms 16:6. This what I call the, Favor of the Lord and Favor is a Force.
David knew this all to well in Psalms 5:11 he writes:
“Let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.
12 For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor).”
If you follow the word Favor through the scripture you will surely discover how forceful favor really is. In Psalms 30:5 “His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life, weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. ” David was a favor magnet he said again, “I know you favor and delight in me because my enemy does not triumph over me.” Psalms 41:11
One of my favorite verses is found in Psalms 84:11, more than likely you will be familiar with it. “For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; He bestows (present) grace and favor and (future) glory (honor and splendor and heavenly bliss. No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly before Him.”
I think this is a good theme for the month of October you will find it in Psalms 97:11:
“Light is sown on the uncompromisingly righteous and scattered on their pathway and joy for the upright in heart, the irrepressible joy which comes from the consciousness of His Favor and protection.”
Our God is generous to a fault He lavishes His favor on all His children but when I read the Psalms 97:11 it appears that we need to be conscious of God favor and protection. Today, I am very conscious of His favor and protection upon my family and am fully aware of the blessing and privilege it is to be called pastor by our church family. Thank you for all the years of love and respect you have given to GayNell and I. We love you and appreciate your faithfulness to His Word and our shared vision.
Four Decades of Favor have produced a bond of gratitude which is hard to find words for but what you sow you reap therefore today, I thank you for trusting us as your pastor for all these years. Thank you for loving our family.
I believe in you,
Pastor Cleddie and GayNell Keith