"And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that when ye go, ye shall not go empty." Exodus 3:21
Once favor comes in, man's rigor ends! The favor of God is the difference maker in life. People differ from one another, not in size, colors and achievements but in the measure of the favor upon their lives. You can be gifted and talented and still be stranded in life. "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." Romans 9:16 (NIV). Nothing makes the effort of man to count like the favour of God! Except the Lord builds a destiny, the labor of man is in futility. But your lack is supplied to the overflow when favor is at work! In 1 Corinthiams 15:10, Paul the apostle testified of the uncommon favor of God: "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain: but I labored more abundantly than they all. Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. The grace of God is synonymous to the favor of God!
When you are favored, you are made! People don't risk by luck, they do by favor that coverts misfortunes into fortunes, it coverts misery into ministry to bless those who are bleeding! The presence of favor is the termination of man's struggles! "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:5
In order for us to fully maximize the heavy package of uncommon favor awaiting us; we need to have an understanding of the favor of God. Whatever you can't define you can't find. Let's begin by defining what favor is!
1. GOD'S FAVOR IS DIVINE APPROVAL UPON A LIFE: Whatever God approves, no man can disapprove! I looked up the word "approve" and it means to be accepted as satisfactory. "To the praise of the gory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." Ephesians 1:6. By virtue of Christ's substitutionary work on the cross, you and I were accepted in the beloved the day we made him the Lord of your lives. This happened not by works but by grace (favor) of God! Whenever divine approval comes everything listens! "While he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud,which said, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matthew 17:5.
2. GOD'S FAVOR IS DIVINE SUPPORT: The word "support" means to bear all or part of the weight! So when favor comes, God takes over your weight. It is the absence of this support that turns man to a beast of burden. Divine support stands for divine help. When God helps you, disgrace is driven far away from your life. "Because the sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be out to shame." Isaiah 50:70 (NIV). The help of God also secures the help of men! you soar gracefully to untold heights of your destiny, career, marriage, business, academics etc. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalms 46:1. There's no door that favor cannot open!
3. PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT: This means to be treated differently! Joseph enjoyed such preferential treatment from his father. "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made hm a coat of many colors." Genesis 37:3 Favor makes your case different; it is to be set apart! To be set apart in this context is to be dedicated as belonging to God. Joseph at every phase of his destiny was set apart for the uncommon favor of God! "Thou shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea the set time is come" Psalms 102:13.
Rev Duro Aina
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