Psalms 5 and The Favor of God
Psalms 5:12
NIV 12 Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
NKJV For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;?with favor You will surround him as with a shield.
NASB 12 For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, ?You surround him with favor as with a shield.
I will never forget the day I was reading this Scripture in my devotion many years ago and suddenly a rhema from the Lord came bursting forth into my heart! The favor of God is one of the greatest attributes of grace I can think of!
We know grace is unmerited favor. We all deserve to go to hell. None of us will ever be able to do enough right to get God to love us and want to forgive us more than He already does. That is a hard concept for many of us to wrap our brain around. Especially when you have grown up in abject poverty and a dysfunctional home.
Over the last several weeks, I have been coming into a greater realization that, out of all the “things” God does for us, I need His favor above all.
Favor is used at least 114 times in the New King James Bible.
In Strongs, favor and grace are so linked together, you cannot separate them. They are absolutely synonymous.
In Webster’s, favor means the following:
a (1) : friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior (2) : approving consideration or attention : approbation
b : partiality
c archaic : leniency
d archaic : permission
e : popularity
3
a : gracious kindness; also : an act of such kindness
4
a : a token of love (as a ribbon) usually worn conspicuously
b : a small gift or decorative item given out at a party
5
a : a special privilege or right granted or conceded
If you are going to go to heaven when you die, you are going to need favor from God. If you are going to complete your assignment on earth before you die, you are going to need favor with man.
Everything we have in this life is given to us by favor. Sure, we work hard; we save, we “earn our way. But I know many people who have worked their fingers to the bone and never been promoted past a second level position on a job.
Favor can do more for you in 30 seconds than an entire lifetime of working, laboring and manipulating and posturing. Work hard. Save money. Be faithful. Be nice. Love everybody. But when it all shakes down, if God doesn’t give you favor with man, you will never be promoted, noticed and increased.
There have been many crude names spoken over people who have been recognized and blessed over others. But when God’s favor begins to move in your life, He will give you favor with men who will bless you, recognize you, promote you, give to you, encourage you, influence you, and place you in a position and arena where you can fulfill every assignment God has placed on your life.
Favor is the good parking spot at the mall; the best table in the restaurant. Favor is finding a cash register that is moving swiftly at Walmart (ha, ha).
The favor of God will help you find money you didn’t know you had. His favor will cause you to be promoted, even over people who may be more qualified than you.
I have now realized, everything I have in my life is because of the Favor of God. I’m not the best preacher or the flashiest speaker on the block. I’m certainly not the most qualified missionary to preach and teach pastors and leaders all over the world. But when God wants you to do something, He will give you favor with the people who can put you there!
It’s favor that got me my first job. In fact, it is favor that has gotten me every job I’ve ever had! Favor with a realtor will get you the house you want. Favor will help you find the dress that’s marked down 50-75%.
Favor causes people to bless you, promote you, find you, open doors for you, encourage you, equip you, empower you to do and be whom God has called you to be. Favor makes life easier, happier and more fulfilling.
Repentance is the golden hinge that holds the next season of God’s favor in your life.
You must have favor with God to go to heaven when you die; and you must have favor with man to complete your assignment before you die.
As for me and my house, I am going to recognize, embrace and celebrate God’s favor from now till I die.
He is the reason I live and move and have my being!