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Pastor Chris White says to all of you: HELLO MY FRIENDS. May the Lord bless you today.
HOLA MIS AMIGOS. Que el Señor los bendiga.
The
best definition of the word favor is “demonstrated delight.” The favor
of God can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of
the Lord.” When we favor someone, we want to be with him or her. We delight in
him. We connect with her in a way we don’t connect with everyone. We usually
favor people who also favor us. In the same way, God shows favor to the ones
who delight in, connect with, and give honor to Him. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look
on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at
my word.” Second Chronicles 16:9
says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to
show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” To be
“perfect” toward Him means we seek His favor more than we seek the favor of
anyone else, even ourselves.
Favor is closely related to grace
in the Bible. Those who have received Jesus as their Savior are saved by grace
through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). They
know the favor of God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), but those who have saving faith
in God’s Son are declared righteous (Romans 4:5; Philippians 3:9) and live in God’s favor. The
most basic answer to “how can I get God’s favor” is “believe in the Lord
Jesus.”
God seeks out those who love Him and love His commands so that He can bless,
guide, and protect them (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5–6). This does not mean that
everyone who is prosperous or healthy has found favor with God (Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 37:7; 73:16). Nor does it mean that those whom the
Lord favors will never suffer difficulties. Many people in the Bible had the
Lord’s favor but also suffered hardship (2 Corinthians 6:4; Acts 14:22; 20:23; 1 Peter 2:19). Heroes such as Noah (Genesis 6:8), Moses (Exodus 32:11; 33:13), Daniel (Daniel 10:19), and Mary (Luke 1:28) were favored of the Lord, but they
also struggled with difficulties like anyone else.
Those who are favored of God know that God is with them and that nothing can
happen to them apart from His good purpose (Romans 8:28). They have His ear as they walk
through dark valleys (Psalm 34:15) and know
that their struggle to remain true to Him will not go unrewarded (Matthew 10:42; Revelation 2:10). In addition to outward
evidences, God’s favor can be felt in the spirit. When we have the favor of the
Lord, we rest in quiet confidence that our sins are forgiven (Romans 4:7), we are within the plan of God (Psalm 86:11), and that He is there for us at
all times (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20). We walk with God as with our
closest friend. We begin to see and appreciate the little blessings that God
provides for our enjoyment—blessings that we once took for granted.
The Lord invites us to seek His favor (Psalm 119:58, 135; 2 Kings 13:4; Jeremiah 26:19; Zephaniah 2:3). When we seek His favor, we
humble our hearts before Him (2 Kings 22:19); seek Him for Himself, not just
for the blessings He gives (Jeremiah 29:13); and
arrange our lives around loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and
strength (Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). We seek first His kingdom and
righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
One way to obtain favor from the Lord is to seek wisdom. Proverbs 8:35 says, “For those who find me
find life and receive favor from the LORD.” Psalm 5:12 says, “Surely, LORD, you bless the
righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Finding favor
with the Lord keeps our lives and thoughts pure because we desire to please Him
more than we desire to please ourselves. Hebrews 11:25 says of Moses, “He chose to be
mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting
pleasures of sin.” When the same can be said of us, we know we have found favor
with God. His delight in us will be demonstrated.
Thank you to Got Questions Ministries
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