Do You Have “FAVOR” With God & Does It Matter? (Part 1)

Words matter a lot! But what if the culture we find ourselves living in changes the meaning of a word?  Today, words are thrown around with a disregard to their true meaning. If the new, incorrect definitions are spoken by enough people then the actual words develop a new emotional meaning.  If we lose sight of what words and concepts in scripture actually mean, then we are bound to stumble.

I remember living in the 70s and finding words were shifting fast and if you did not keep up with the changes and definitions you could be speaking the opposite of what you thought you were communicating. Take the two meanings of “BAD” for instance. Living in California near San Francisco during the hippie movement, young people started to reverse the meaning and when someone said something was “Bad” they really meant it was good. If you didn’t listen to the content of a conversation you could come up with wrong ideas about what was said and thus be at the wrong end of a discussion.

Let’s look at the definition of “FAVOR” and how it is used in a biblical sense. If favor is earned and holds the key to answered prayer then we must strive to understand its concept and application or we will suffer for it.

Definition of Favor = Noun.                                                                                                                                                                         Something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for remuneration; a kind act: to ask a favor, friendly or well-disposed regard; goodwill: to win the favor of the king. the state of being approved or held in regard: to be in favor at court; styles that are now in favor.

Just from this definition you can go in many directions. First, favor can be “Granted” from others out of their kindness. Secondly, favor can be given because one “Wins” the favor of another. Finally, favor can be all about the style of a coat or pair of pants. Favor can be gained in different ways but it still retains the idea of gaining an advantage above others. Let’s look at a few passages and then go deeper in the meaning and the application of acquiring favor.

Psalm 90:17:                                                                                                                                                                            

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! 

Proverbs 12:2:                                                                                                                                                                          

A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. … So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

The first passage talks about “Requesting” favor and the second passage refers to “Obtaining” favor from God.

So, the question I want to propose is how important is having favor with God and do we need to be concerned how and if we have it?

First, let’s deal with the obvious question: “Is having favor important?” If the definition is still true, then having an “Advantage” when pursuing God or things from God, like in our prayers, would be important. I would suggest that many believers struggle with knowing if and when God will answer prayer. If there are requirements we need to know that or we will forever be praying with little to no effect.

Some Christians believe that because they are “Children of God” they automatically have favor with the Lord. I would agree in part, but it’s not quite that simple. When reading scripture it’s always important to understand context and I believe scripture clearly teaches that God looks at the heart above all things when considering our request. Secondly, God looks at our conduct. If our hearts are in a good place but our conduct does not match our request God may be silent until we figure out what we are doing wrong or need to stop doing.  For instance, some deal with an uncontrollable anger. What does scripture say about what God thinks about anger?

James 1:20                                                                                                                                                                               

The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 

Proverbs 19:19                                                                                                                                                                       

A man of great anger will bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.

Numbers 14:18                                                                                                                                                                       

The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations. ’ 

These scriptures and others define anger, when done for the wrong reason and in excess, does not gain favor with God but rather hinders His desire to be gracious to us. Look what Moses learned about gaining favor in God’s eyes and how important this lesson was.

Exodus 33:15-17                                                                                                                                                                    

Then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. “For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?”  [17] The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” 

Moses desired a few things from God and those things were pleasing in God’s sight so he gained favor. God saw that Moses’ heart was in a good place. He was not acting or requesting something selfish from God and, in fact, Moses was concerned about God’s reputation. Scripture says Moses talked to God like a man talks to another man. Why? Because he had found favor with God. He didn’t presume upon his leadership position for advantage but rather gained it by having God’s best interest above all.

All too often I think we assume upon the goodness of God to grant us our request when God is after something deeper than just giving us our requests. He is after us to change into more of a likeness of Jesus.

Think for a moment and ask yourself the question:  “Have you looked to gain favor with God above becoming a Christian?” Do you seek to develop your Christian motives and behavior because you love God or do you change only because you see the advantage for your own advancement? Consider this passage of scripture about Solomon when he was becoming the king of Israel and what God said to him about life’s struggles and the answers to our prayers for relief.

2 Chronicles 7:12-15                                                                                                                                                          

Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. [13] “If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, And if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. “Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. 

God desires to heal us all and heal our land but not at the cost of making things worse.

Questions:

1) Do you want favor with God? Search the scriptures to discover what God wants from you.

2) Have you assumed God is obligated to give you favor? Do a scripture search of favor and find the answer.

May the Holy Spirit enlighten our hearts and minds to discover real favor with God.

Pastor Dale