Favor
This is a word that has a couple of different uses for sure. Doing someone a favor is “doing a kind act for them out of the goodness of one’s heart”. The other big use of this word is “friendly or well-disposed regard; goodwill or held in regard”. It is the latter that jumped from the pages of scripture this morning.
Moses is writing the account of God’s Creation and wickedness abounds on the earth. God’s plan for mankind is being ignored and everyone is doing whatever they want at the expense of others. The Lord makes up His mind that He’s going to wipe the earth clean and I’m assuming start over. But there is one guy who finds favor with God. Check this out….
5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. 7 And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” 8 But Noah found favor with the Lord. (Genesis 6:5-8 NLT)
I would rather have the favor of God than the accolades of man. I would rather make the Lord famous than to become famous myself. I don’t want to break God’s heart with my behavior. I want my heart to be a reflection of His heart. I want to live my life in favor with God and others – in that order.
This word favor is used a few other places in scripture. I remember Jesus was described this way. Check this out…
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. (Luke 2:56 NLT)
Solomon also pens a good word regarding favor with God in Proverbs. Check this out…
1 My child,never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.(Proverbs 3:1-6 NLT)
I believe favor with God comes from obedience, surrender, trust and profound respect. I don’t always understand what God is doing or what His plan looks like, but I’m learning that He can be trusted – period. I want the favor of God all over my life, my family, my friends, my business, my community, my country. I believe that favor of God is the determining of success in my life. It is daily choice, by daily choice – honoring Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne