Favor is grace from God. It is pure divine kindness towards you- mostly in circumstances where people had written you off as unworthy and undeserving.
Experience has taught me that God can distinguish you and see you through a hostile environment. I am reminded of a testimony I heard on radio about a young man who found unbelievable favor through school and life after going through a tumultuous childhood. He became qualified for what he was deemed unqualified for.
Through favor, God grants us mercy to do things that are deemed humanly impossible for us to do.
Related: https://thelovetablet.com/2022/04/19/faith-it-till-you-secure-the-bag/
And Joseph found grace in his sight and served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. Genesis 39:4 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Esther 2:17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
Examples of people who experienced God’s favor in the most unusual circumstances
- Mordecai: This man was set to be impaled on a pole set for him by Horrible Haman because of simply obeying his God. God made the King suffer insomnia and call for his aide-de-camp to read to him his bedtime stories- his Chronicles. He was shocked that Mordecai had not yet been awarded for saving him from his enemies. How humiliating for Horrible Haman who had to crown Mordecai and match him down the streets, praising him! Let’s not forget he also got impaled on the very pole he had made for Mordecai.
- Hannah: Imagine being constantly ridiculed because you can’t bear children? I wonder how traumatizing it was for her. When she went to seek God in his house, she could not pray internally. Well, because there are situations in life that can make you seem mental. The priest accused her of being drunk in the house of the Lord! Poor Hannah. Nevertheless, God’s mercy ensured she was recompensed and restored 100 fold. She got a son, Samuel and five more.
- Daniel: A handsome, educated, uncompromising and God fearing man. Daniel slept soundly in the den of lions as they surrounded him, roaring, protecting and serenading him for his integrity and obedience to God. However, his enemies sang a different song when the lions mercilessly devoured them before they could even land on the den’s floor.
Related: https://thelovetablet.com/2022/05/03/you-are-a-mere-mortal-wrapped-in-grace-and-mercy/
- One of my favorite Biblical stories is about the Jewish King Hezekiah and the bane of his life, the enemy of the people, the egoistic, King Sennacherib of Assyria. Sennacherib was proud and knew how to torment, taunt and threaten. He declared war on the people of Jerusalem. Considering his vast army, he did not get to fight the people of Jerusalem because God annihilated his armies. He was later put down by the sword while praying to his man-made gods by his two sons- his own flesh and blood!
- God’s favor grants us the promised experience of eternal life through his grace. The gift of salvation keeps on giving. It prepares us through sanctification in the journey of life. I feel comforted knowing that we already have His favor- that God saved us through his grace and mercy towards us- each one of us.
How Might We Embrace God’s Favor and Mercy?
- Through faith in God.
- Pursuing insight and knowledge in the word of God.
- Trusting and believing God- this is at the heart of receiving his promises.
- Kindness and humility go a long way. Treat people right. Plant that favor to others.
- Claim it. You are what you confess! Words are powerful, they morph and manifest.
Related: https://thelovetablet.com/2022/06/28/5-ways-of-desisting-the-tongue-from-being-so-nasty-and-so-rude/
For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12 You must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 4:6-7 A good man sows favor, and lends: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Psalm 112:5 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. (Psalm 44:3) But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Gen. 39:21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty. Ex. 3:21 And the lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. Ex 11:3
And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord, possess thou the west and the south. Deut. 33:23 For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses. Joshua 11:20 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:1-4 And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.Isaiah 58:11 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, the set time, is come. Psalm 102:13
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