The Promise of Favor

Today’s key verse is taken from the daily Bible reading plan at BibleInAYearOnline.com

And the time of the Lord’s favor has come. - Luke 4:19 (NLT)

There's something magical about a rainbow. It appears when the sun breaks through the clouds after rain, filling the sky with vibrant colors. A rainbow is a symbol of God's everlasting covenant, a promise that the earth would never again be destroyed by flood. Every time I see one, I’m reminded of God's faithfulness and the beauty of His promises.

Just as the rainbow reminds us of God's covenant with the earth, we have another powerful symbol of His promises, the bread and wine of communion. These elements represent the New Covenant, a promise that is even greater. When we partake in communion, we remember that we will never face God's judgment because Jesus took that judgment upon Himself at the cross. He bore our sins and endured the wrath that we deserved, so we could be reconciled to the Father.

Jesus declared in Luke 4:19, "And the time of the Lord’s favor has come." The New Covenant is the embodiment of that favor. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we not only escape the judgment we deserve, but we are also given wholeness, nothing missing, nothing broken. This is what the Greek word sozo means when it refers to salvation. Jesus made it possible for us to receive this fullness of life, both in eternity and in our everyday moments.

As you go about your day, let every rainbow you see remind you of God’s promises, and let every moment of communion you share deepen your understanding of the New Covenant and the favor that is yours through Jesus.

Reflection Question: How can you remind yourself today of the favor and wholeness God has given you through Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the promises You’ve made to me through Jesus. Thank You for the rainbow in the sky, a reminder of Your faithfulness to the earth, and for communion, a reminder of the favor and grace I have received through Christ. Help me to live in the fullness of the New Covenant, knowing that I am loved, forgiven, and whole in You. In Jesus Name, Amen.