1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. 10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 11 So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.

The apostle Paul is a guy who has been through a lot. He has been shipwrecked, imprisoned, beaten, left for dead, and persecuted by many. Yet Paul says he is favored by God. When Paul looks back over his life, he recognizes the favor of God. Despite the hardships all around him, he sees the favor of God. The question of the day is this: When you look back, can you recognize God’s favor in your life?

If you are a believer today and have embraced the salvation of Jesus, then you have taken advantage of great favor God sent your way. There have been small moments, ordinary opportunities, and connections with people in my past that proved to be monumental gifts in my life. At the moment, they seemed common and every day. However, looking back I can see it was the favor God.

You and I must become experts at recognizing the favor of God in our past. The process of spotting God’s favor in our past trains us to see God’s favor in our present and future. If you ignore or deny the favor of God in the past, you may accidently avoid the favor in the present. Paul said all that I am is because of God’s favor. That is absolutely true for you too.

Today’s Challenge: Take time to consider the favor of God in your past. Recall all the ways He has provided for you, positioned you, and prepared opportunities for you.