God’s Favor
How many of you would agree that there are times in life when you need a favor? Perhaps, you may even need a favor today. Actually, if truth be told, I’m sure there are some reading this who may recall in their earlier years of life, that they didn’t phrase it as “needing a favor” but rather they would say something like, “I need the hook-up.” Well brothers, however it was phrased, one thing was certain, your ability to receive the favor, or the hook-up was always predicated on your conduct— “What have you done for me lately, how have you treated me, or what am I going to get in return?”
In other words, the world’s concept of favor is often times performance based, but the only performance God looks at when it comes to granting you HIS favor is Christ’s perfect performance on your behalf and the fact that YOU are trusting in HIM. What is biblical favor? It is God’s delight, acceptance, desire, pleasure, and goodwill upon your life. GOD’s favor isn’t based on your personal conduct, but rather Christ’s finished work. Because of your faith in Christ Jesus, you have already received the greatest favor and hook up of all —the grace and gift of salvation, which consequently grants you eternal life and affords you the constant, consistent and continual state of having God’s delight, goodwill, pleasure and acceptance upon YOUR life.
Now, a word of balance. When you are facing a crisis, and nothing is changing, it’s easy to feel that God’s favor has expired. When every answer given is a no and doors are being slammed in your face, it can seem like God has turned away and closed His ears unto your prayers. When you’re in between the proverbial rock and a hard place, you may wonder and say, “Lord, where’s your favor in my life?” You may even say, like John the Baptist said in John 11:3, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Listen brothers, even when you do not see tangible evidence of FAVOR, do not be moved! Continue to walk by faith knowing and believing that YOU are the righteousness of God and favor surrounds you as a shield. Favor is a gift we receive when we receive Jesus; it is unearned, unmerited, and undeserved. The world calls it luck, but I agree with Jonathan McReynolds, “I’m not lucky I’m loved” and so are you; favor surrounds us as a shield!
“For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor” – Psalm 5:12 (Berean Standard Bible).
