August 28, 2022
“For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Romans 5:1 (NLT2)
I have been a part of a prayer group for over ten years which has been an awesome blessing in my life. I was invited by Dr. Fredericka Jackson, whom we affectionately call Dr. J. I have been privileged to meet and know some wonderful women of God who have tremendously enriched my life. One of the faithful ladies, Sister Ann who lives in the Bahamas whom we often tease because she often refers to God in such a way that appears to imply that she has some special and favorite place with HIM than the other ladies. We have to remind her in love that we are all God’s favorites and are special to Him! I think she has finally got it message.
No, seriously, we love her she has great love and faith in God; however, thinking of our conversations, caused me to look further in my study of this concept of God’s Favor and just what it really means. I often pray asking God for His Favor in the affairs of my life, however, what does the Bible say about His Favor? Have you ever asked, what is the favor of God, and how can I get it? Have you ever prayed for God’s unprecedented favor in your life? I have, however, what does that really mean theologically?
When we naturally think of the word “favor” we think of showing favoritism to a place of higher status and less
responsibility. I decided to consult the “Thesaurus” which was some help with a definition. The word ‘favor or favoritism’ could best be described as “demonstrated pleasure.” God found favor in Jesus who pleased God. Jesus was the incarnation of everything God favors. Many times, in Scripture God, calls Jesus “My Chosen One” as noted in Isaiah 42:1 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. (NLT)
God’s favor often comes with added responsibilities and more difficult challenges. Many in Scripture whom God favored were persecuted and suffered hardship because of the mantle of responsibility God placed upon them. Jesus is an example of who came to die for our sins. What about Mary the mother of Jesus when the angel Gabriel greeted her with these words in Luke chapter 1, The angel said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” We have no further biblical record as to why Mary was chosen, but the result of God’s favor upon her was that she had to bear great sorrow and difficulty as the mother of Jesus the Messiah. There are other examples in Scripture of God’s Favor and His sovereign will in choosing those He favored.
Do you still want God’s Favor in your life? Yes, God is sovereign, and He can do whatever He chooses to do in your life, and in mine, He is God. He wants to show us all His favor, and He chooses some for special assignments and blessings.
As Believers in the birth, death and risen Savior we are all favorite children of God purchased by the blood of His Son. The Apostle John wrote in John 1:12-13, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn, not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. (NLT)
When we walk in obedience to His Word and bring honor to His name, God’s favor follows us. REMEMBER, God’s favor may manifest itself through greater responsibility, blessing, or even suffering for His sake as Luke writes in Acts 5:41.
Every child of God who comes to Him through faith in Jesus Christ has the favor of God. Our God is not limited in His favor, nor does He rank us in any order of importance, nor is His favor something we must compete with one another to earn.
Rx: A FAVORED 
HEART: Romans 5:1, says, “It is not our own righteousness that earns us favor; we are declared righteous through the cleansing of our sins by the blood of Christ.” God by His love desires to bestow favor on everyone who seeks Him. As we grow in faith and seek to please Him, God demonstrates His favor by drawing near to us. He gives spiritual gifts to all His children to use in His service. And, yes, He even disciplines as a means of showing favor to us His children. The writer of Hebrews 12:5–6 reminds says “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
FATHER GOD: Thank You Father that You are not limited in Your favor. You do not rank us in any order of importance, nor do You favor something we must compete with one another to earn Your favor. All You ask us to do is to come to You by faith in Jesus Christ and we have Your favor. Thank You, Father, for Your Word that gives us clear instructions and the Holy Spirit that illuminates giving us clarity and direction, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ or Savior and Lord, Amen!