Positioning for Favor
Have you ever felt that life is unfair? Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have a better lot in life than others? Does your life seem to be one big struggle? Do you feel some Christians are more blessed than others?
Well you are absolutely right! Although God does not discriminate amongst His people, one thing will always distinguish one person from another - the favor of God. Favor brings God’s mark of distinction upon a person’s life. It separates the ordinary from the extraordinary, the mediocre from the excellent and the plain from the brilliant.
Esther was a young Jewish woman living in exile in the land of Persia. Yet, through a series of events, she rose from obscurity to become the Queen of the land. The favor of God upon Esther distinguished her from all the others. And so, an orphaned Jewish girl was chosen, over many talented and sophisticated Persian ladies, to become the queen of the greatest nation on earth at that time! That is the power of favor!
Through the power of God’s favor,
Isaac flourished during the famine-Genesis 26:1-3, 12-14
Joseph rose from slave to prime minister -Genesis 39 & 41
Daniel was distinguished among his peers-Daniel 1:8-9-15, 2:46-49
Ruth got a special place in history (Ruth 4:13, 17-22, Mathew 1:1-17)
Mary was favored above all women (Luke 1:26-38)
God has made equal provision for you to be exceedingly blessed and favored. Nevertheless, even though it is God’s will for you to enjoy His favor, it is your responsibility to position yourself to enjoy it. Three things were common in the lives of the all the people that enjoyed God’s favor, both in the new and old Testaments. As you discover and lay hold of them, you will unlock every door of God’s favor in your life; you will begin to experience His favor exceedingly!
Psalm 5:11-12 – “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.”
1. You must be in a covenant relationship with God: - From Genesis to Revelation, all the people that enjoyed God’s favor has a relationship with Him (i.e. they see and accept Him as their God). The great news today is that every believer in Christ is a candidate for God’s favor. This is because when you accept Jesus Christ into your life, you are adopted into God’s family. Now, in Christ Jesus, you are part of a special race. You are in a covenant relationship with God and eligible for every covenant promise of God in Christ.
Proverbs 14:9 - Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.
2. You must Practice the righteousness of God: - One of the attribute of God is holiness. It is a name by which God is known (Exodus 15:51, Psalm 111:1), and because God is holy, He made us righteous, so that we can freely stand in His presence (Psalm 34:15). As a believer in Christ, you possess the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and this qualifies you for His favor. But, it is one thing to qualify for God’s favor, and another thing to actually enjoy it in your life. The practice of iniquity plays a major role in our relationship with God (Habakkuk 1:13, Isaiah 59:1-2 Psalm 66:18). Iniquity is a premeditated, continuing and escalating disobedience to God’s word-which is “Sin”. When you give yourself to a sinful lifestyle, you give the enemy the right and authority to relocate you from the position of enjoying God’s favor. But when you favor the righteous cause of God, you are positioned to experience His favor. “Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27.
Proverbs 3:1-6 - My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you… And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
3. You must secure God’s presence: - In life’s race, there are limits to what your human strength can do. The arm of flesh is no match against life’s toughest challenges. But when God is with you, your life will exude His favor. All that you do will be blessed. John 15:5 says; “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” This is why it is important that you secure His presence before you make any decision in life. Do not attempt to do anything without God. You must seek His approval in all you do. The bible says in Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” He says acknowledge Him in all your ways, not some of your ways! Then, He will direct your paths; He will take the journey with you so that you do not have to go through it alone. And with His presence comes His favor.