Have you ever been overwhelmed by anything? Have you ever had a problem that consumed your mind 24 hours a day and there seemed to be no solution to it?
In Psalm 102, we read about a man who is completely overwhelmed by his situation, he needs an answer from God, and he needs it immediately. See if you can relate.
Hear my prayer O Lord and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily (vv. 1-2).
He’s getting right to the point…. He’s saying, “God, I need an answer and I need it real fast. He goes on to say in verses 3 to 13:
For my days are consumed like smoke and my bones are burned as a hearth. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass: so that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl in the desert. I watch, and am a spar row alone upon the house top. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. My days are like a shadow that declineth: and I am withered like grass.
But thou, O Lord, shalt endure, for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. Thou shall arise, and have, mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time, is come.
Notice that even though this man is overwhelmed by his adversity, he still recognizes that he is entitled to the favor of God. When many of us are faced with overwhelming situations, it’s easy to become problem-minded rather than solution-minded. We tend to forget our covenant during a trial.
Sometimes the problem can be so overwhelming that it’s all you can think about. But notice in the midst of all of this, the Psalmist remembers that he is entitled to God’s favor. The reason he knows he is entitled to it is because he’s a covenant man.
Notice he says: “Thou shall arise and have mercy upon Zion for the time to favor her, yea the set time is come.”
God’s Favor Can Be A Lifesaver
Once he begins to get his mind off the problem and starts thinking about the favor of God, he begins to speak more positively. He begins to talk about what God will do when He arises and what the favor of God will do when it comes on the scene.
You need to realize that no matter what you are going through and no matter how severe it is, you are entitled to the favor of God, but you need to learn to expect that favor.
The Amplified says it this way: “…the moment designated has come….”
There is a moment designated for the favor of God to come.
Every time you have been under pressure, and your situation looked impossible, the devil said, “There is no way,” but God always seemed to find a way.
Isn’t that right! Well, that was a manifestation of the favor of God. When you expect it to come, it will cause you to remain positive and change your perspective about your outcome.
Excerpt permission granted by Jerry Savelle Ministries International
Dr. Jerry Savelle was an average, blue-collar man who was struggling and needed God's help. While he considered himself a "nobody," when he became a believer God told him not to worry about it because He was a master at making champions out of nobodies. God has since taken Dr. Savelle from being a constant quitter to a man who knows how to stand on the Word of God until victory is experienced. Because of the life-changing combination of God's faithfulness and Dr. Savelle's "no quit" attitude, his life is totally different than it was thirty-eight years ago.
Since 1969, Dr. Savelle traveled the world teaching people how to win in life. Dr. Savelle ministered in more than three thousand churches and in twenty-six nations, and has overseas offices in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
God used Dr. Savelle to impact people who are burned out on religion and who have backslidden in their walk with God, as well as Christians who have a need to hear the Word of God presented in terms applicable to their lives, dreams, and destinies. He hosted the Jerry Savelle Ministries television broadcast which airs in two hundred countries worldwide.
Dr. Savelle authored more than forty books, including his bestsellers, If Satan Can't Steal Your Joy, He Can't Keep Your Goods and You're Somebody Special to God. He served as one of the founding Pastors of Heritage of Faith Christian Center in Crowley, Texas.
Jerry J. Savelle, 77, went home to be with the Lord on April 15, 2024. He spent his last day on earth fulfilling his purpose teaching people the Word of God