When we speak of God's favor, we are not saying that God plays favorites! Rather, we are talking about a person who chooses to live deliberately in such a way that is pleasing to God. By exhibiting this faithfulness to God, He responds with favor in their lives - or, we might say, by blessing them!
God honors those who are intentionally faithful in living their lives in a way that is pleasing to Him!
Do you want the favor and blessing of God in your life? Live an honorable life heeding the scripture and regarding the principles and guidelines He has laid out so plainly for us in His Word!
Joseph's storyline may be the best illustration of this in the Bible.
He is an innocent boy who is a bit too self-focused when his brothers fake his death and sell him to a group of traders heading for Egypt. When they arrive, Joseph is sold to a man named Potiphar who oversees the Pharoah's household.
As it turned out, GOD was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master. His master recognized that GOD was with him, saw that GOD was working for good in everything he did. [Genesis 39:2-3 TM]
This is a picture of the favor of God!
Many are familiar with this story. Potiphar's wife tries repeatedly to seduce Joseph, but he stands strong seeking to honor Potiphar and God! Eventually, she grabs him by the coat and insists that he sleep with her. He leaves his coat in her hand and runs from the house. Jilted, she screams and claims that he tried to rape her. Potiphar comes quickly and is naturally furious - believing his wife's report. He places Joseph in the jail that holds the king's prisoners.
But there in jail GOD was still with Joseph: He reached out in kindness to him; he put him on good terms with the head jailer. The head jailer put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners - he ended up managing the whole operation. The head jailer gave Joseph free rein, never even checked on him, because GOD was with him; whatever he did GOD made sure it worked out for the best. [Genesis 39:21-23 TM]
Wouldn't you like to have that kind of favor working in your life?
Joseph's life is not the only example of God's favor; there are many others. When's the last time you read Psalm 1?
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.
They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.
But for sinners, what a different story! They blow away like chaff before the wind. They are not safe on Judgment Day; they shall not stand among the godly.
For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom. [TLB}
