When we ask someone ‘Can you do me a favour?’, we usually mean something relatively minor! God’s favour is a major thing, however, a blessing we experience as God’s people though it is completely undeserved. God’s favour has been defined as ‘the divine kindness, approval and blessing bestowed upon individuals; it is His unmerited grace and supernatural support.’God loves us and wants to bless us. No amount of effort and good works can earn His favour, but the good news is that God’s grace, mercy and loving-kindness are there for each one of us regardless. He loves us because He has decided to do so; He gives us more grace because He chooses to do so. (James 4:6)
God’s favour is something we accept by faith, but we must let Scripture renew our minds until we are transformed by this truth (Rom 12:2), rather like the infusion that happens when we make a pot of tea or receive medicaiton or fluids by intravenous drips. Favour is not the same as favouritism (Rom 2:11). God has enough favour for us all! Access to HIs favour means we have access to life in all its fulness (John 10:10) and is based on His faithfulness (Lev 26:9) Prov 11:27 tells us that ‘whoever seeks good finds favour’; Daniel tells us problems come if we do not ‘seek God’s favour by turning from your sins and giving attention to God’s truth.’ (Dan 9:13) He was someone who knew God’s favour even in adverse circumstances (living in exile, see Dan 1:9) and he gives us a clue as to how to continue in God’s favour: by turning from sin and paying attention to God’s truth. It’s not enough to hear and understand what God says. We must then put it into practice; we must obey it. (Matt 7:24)
God’s favour means we have access to abundant life now and eternal lfie too. We live under God’s protection (see Ps 5:12, Ps 91:9-13) We also know the favour of other people (as Moses demonstrated when the Israelites left Egypt with gold and silver, see Ex 3:21, Ex 11:3, Ex 12:36) Nehemiah was treated with favour by the king and allowed to go back to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the walls (Neh 2:1-10). Solomon was blessed by the Queen of Sheba who came with spices and large quantities of gold and precious stones (1 Kings 10:2), Cyrus, a foreign king, allowed the Israelites to go back to Israel and build a temple with his blessing. (2 Chron 36:23) As Prov 16:7 says, ‘When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.’
God is a God of abundance, grace and blessing. As God’s people, we can give thanks for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many (2 Cor 1:11) and can live as Jesus did, ‘in favour with God and man.’ (Luke 2:52) God’s favour is one of the greatest gifts He can give to us, and if we will walk humbly with Him, we are guaranteed to have His favour, not because we deserve it, but because of His grace and mercy to us. Isaiah said, ‘These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit and who tremble at my word.’ (Is 66:2) May we humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God so that He can lift us up and we can live with fulness of life, protection and favour, walking with our God every day of our lives.
