God plays no favorites, yet the Bible shares stories where He showers some folks with His kindness. People often see this as God’s special nod. “Favor” means getting a thumbs-up or a pat on the back from someone important, kind of like a wink from God saying, “I’ve got your back.”
Imagine if you always had God’s grace[1]. How would your life change if you were confident in His favor? If you knew God had chosen you, how would you face the challenges? Could this belief help you overcome your worries and anxieties?
Key Takeaways
- God’s favor is described as the approval and blessings of God towards individuals, not based on their merit but as a part of His divine nature.
- Understanding and receiving God’s favor can profoundly change a person’s life, offering guidance, protection, and blessings.
- God’s favor is not earned by human efforts but is a gift that can be received through faith and a relationship with God.
Contents
What Does The Scripture Say About The Favor Of God?
Ephesians 1:11 says, because of God’s divine providence, “In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”
Ephesians also says that rather than being a result of our merit (Ephesians 2:9), God’s favor was bestowed upon us simply because of who He is (John 3:16; Romans 5:8, 10; Ephesians 2:8). Since the Greek word is in the past tense, this great promise of God implies that the believer has already “obtained an inheritance.”
Whoever “heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and trusted in him” (Ephesians 1:13) has been “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,” who “is the guarantee of our inheritance until we obtain possession of it, to the acclaim of his glory” (Ephesians 1:14).
The word “obtained,” as in “obtained an inheritance,” comes from the term “klēroō,” which means “cast lots” or “determine by lot.” Remember, this is how they got answers from God in the Old Testament and the Book of Acts, and when the lot was cast, it was assurance from God, and who could rescind that?
Does The Favor Of God Change Our Lives?
The truth is that God’s favor will change your life! However, we are not aware of that. There are ways we can see our lives changed in the favor of God. Scripture says:
1. Don’t Wait For The Favor Of Our Lord God.
A common misconception is that Christians must do something to gain God’s favor. It was God’s mercy that led to our deliverance.
Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Grace, in its simplest definition, is favor (see number 333 for a sign of many things from God).
Only God’s favor can bring about positive development. In the first place, you and I are spared from destruction by His grace, and I don’t just mean that we’ll make it to paradise when we die. To be rescued is to experience release, safety, preservation, healing, and restoration.
2. Receive His Favor By Faith.
2 Peter 1:2 says that as knowledge increases, God’s grace increases in our lives. Knowing that God’s blessings are rightfully yours is the first step toward receiving them. So, you must take things on trust. Remember Ephesians 2:8, “God saved you by his grace…” All of God’s blessings and kindness, beginning with salvation, are available to those who enjoy God’s favor. Faith on your part is accepting His gifts without question.
3. Know That God Always Searches For Someone To Bless.
God desires to bless, guide, and protect people who love Him and keep His instructions (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5–6). Good health and financial success do not automatically make one favored by God (Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 37:7; 73:16). Equally false is the idea that people whom God favors will never face adversity.
Many Bible verses show people who experienced God’s blessing and terrible trials (2 Corinthians 6:4; Acts 14:22; 20:23; 1 Peter 2:19). Many biblical figures, including Daniel, Moses, Mary, and Noah, found favor in God’s eyes.
How Can We Get The Favor Of God?
Inviting us to seek His favor, the Lord tells us to (Psalm 119:58, 135; 2 Kings 13:4; Jeremiah 26:19; Zephaniah 2:3) humble ourselves before Him (2 Kings 22:19), focus on Him rather than on His gifts (Jeremiah 29:13), and design our lives to glorify Him (Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). We are primarily concerned with furthering His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Seeking wisdom is an excellent method to win God’s favor. “For those who find me [wisdom] find life and receive favor from the Lord.” It reads in Proverbs 8:35, “The virtuous are protected by the LORD’s favor like a shield,” and as Psalm 5:12 indicates, “Purity of heart and mind are byproducts of a life devoted to pleasing the Lord rather than the self.”
According to Hebrews 11:25, “Moses chooses to suffer persecution with God’s people rather than indulge in the temporary gratifications of sin.” Once that day comes, we will know we have God’s favor. He will openly show his enthusiasm for us.
30 Uplifting Scriptures About The Favor Of God
God’s favor in our lives is not superficial. There is much evidence throughout Scripture that says how He favors His people.
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
— Psalm 84:11
“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!”
— Psalm 90:17
“For He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation.'”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2
“My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by.”
— Genesis 18:3
“Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you; for to you and your offspring, I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.”
— Genesis 26:3
“And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, ‘I am the God of Abraham your father . Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.'”
— Genesis 26:24
“But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.”
— Genesis 30:27
“I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my Lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.”
— Genesis 32:5
“So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his servant, and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge.”
— Genesis 39:4
“Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day, those who were being saved. Thus says the Lord, ‘The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness—Israel—when it went to find its rest.'”
— Acts 2:47
“And rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and all his household.”
— Acts 7:10
“So when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women had gathered in Susa, the citadel in the custody of Hegai, Esther was also taken into the king’s palace and put in the custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. And the young woman pleased him and won his favor.”
— Esther 2:8–9
And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king’s palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem.”
“When the turn came for Esther, the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go into the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised.
— Esther 2:15–18
Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther’s feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.”
“And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.”
— Esther 5:2
“Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
— Matthew 6:31–33
“The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.”
— Proverbs 3:33–35
“A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns.”
— Proverbs 12:2
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
— Proverbs 18:22
“Thus says the Lord: ‘In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages.”
— Isaiah 49:8
“For from the rising of the sun to its setting, my name will be great among the nations; and in every place, incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.”
— Malachi 1:11
“This Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.”
— Ezra 7:6
“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”
— Romans 5:17
“Now the young man Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.”
— Samuel 2:26
“And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.'”
— 1 Samuel 16:22
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. “
— John 3:16
“And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs.”
— Daniel 1:9
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man.”
— Luke 2:52
“I will grant these people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed.”
— Exodus 3:2
“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.'”
— Exodus 33:17
“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
— Galatians 1:10
Summary
We can experience God’s favor, also known as His “amazing grace,” because He delights in us. Like others who have experienced this favor, it’s God’s choice to bestow it.
God’s favor is a gift given out of His love for us, as reflected in scriptures like John 3:16. His love is part of His nature.
As humans, we often seek God’s favor, even though we may feel unworthy. Thus, we should accept His favor as a gift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Scripture says about Favour of God?
Scripture often speaks of God’s favor, describing it as the gracious blessings and approval from God, given not based on human merit but as an expression of His divine grace and love.
What is considered the favor of God?
The favor of God is considered to be His blessings and approval, which can manifest in various forms like protection, prosperity, and spiritual insights, granted as a part of His benevolent nature.
What is the act of favor of God?
The act of favor of God is His intervention in the lives of individuals, providing guidance, blessings, and protection. It reflects His loving nature and desire for human well-being and spiritual growth.
How do you gain favor from God?
You can gain from God not through human efforts or merit but through faith, a relationship with God, and aligning one’s life with His teachings and principles.