Favor is a special gift from God for those whom He chooses. God enjoys giving us favor and we enjoy having favor. The word “favor” in the Bible means the following:
a gift of grace, benefit, bounty that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, grace of speech
Instead of evaluating how to get God’s favor, I would like to examine the life of those who were given favor to find their character qualities.
But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39:21
Faithfulness in all circumstances-As we read Joseph’s life story, we find someone who was faithful in whatever circumstances he encountered. He was diligent and trusted by those who were over him. He did not complain, grow bitter, or stop working hard because of adverse and unfair situations!!
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor 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
Receive instruction in humility- Esther was a beautiful and humble woman. She was willing to receive instruction and direction from her uncle, Mordecai, and Hegai the king’s eunuch. The eunuch favored her and gave her extra privileges long before the King showed her favor. Sometimes people don’t mind receiving instruction from a certain few, but they may look down upon others because they don’t have the right position/credential to speak into their lives. We may miss great instruction from the Lord that comes in an unexpected or undesired form. While all the other women did not notice Hegai, but the scripture tells us that Esther pleased Hegai and she found favor in his sight. (Esther 2:8-9)
So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.” Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, Who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.”Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer. Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” 1Samuel 16:17-22
Skillful- Originally, David was very favored by Saul. Saul’s servants recommended David to Saul because he was skillful, he was prudent in speech and the Lord was with him. David, the shepherd boy, did not have anything to prove. He was skillful in playing music because that’s what he did when he was out feeding sheep. He worshiped God and out of his love for God the skill was developed. This is where as parents we have to be carefeul. For example, we teach our children they should do community work because it looks good on their college application. Instead we should be encouraging them to find things they enjoy doing and giving their best.
Prudent in speech – David also knew how to speak. Have you noticed that you like to be around people who are kind and respectful with their words, and you shy away from those who speak harshly? If you were to recommend someone for a job, would you recommend someone who was prudent in speech or someone who is brash or careless?
So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Ruth 2:10-12
Self- Sacrifical –Ruth found favor in the eyes of Boaz because she had a good reputation. Her sacrificial and unique love toward her mother-in-law was known in the community. She was also not presumptuous to think that she can get a hand out because she was a widow. When you see someone making great sacrifices for the sake of others, you just can’t help but want to bless them. Generosity begets generosity.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52
Growing in widsom and in favor-While Jesus was born miraculously, he was raised as an average child. His parents were poor and the scripture does not tell us that Jesus had any special privileges. He was submitted to his parents. He remained teachable, & grew in wisdom. The scripture tells us that Jesus grew in favor with God and man. If Jesus needed to grow in favor then we all do as well. Sometimes people think that as long as God is happy with us that’s all I need. If we are going to be His vessels to reach people, then we need their favor too. People are watching our lives more than they care to hear our words.
Every one of the above Biblical characters had God’s favor and then the Lord allowed them to have man’s favor as well. We need to recognize that in all of the above examples, the favor of God did not puff people up. It did not make them feel better than others. They understood that the favor was given for a purpose, and they stewarded the favor well!!
Let’s pray for God’s favor, but let’s also pray that when we have God’s favor and/or man’s favor we would steward it well to build His kingdom rather than our ego!!