By Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people; O visit me with thy salvation (Psalm 106:4).
Favor is a word that is often mentioned in Christian ranks. Surely, Christians have God’s favor, but we should look at this word more closely than we sometimes do. First of all, we should know that everyone does not show us favor.
Obviously, we are not favored by Satan. John 10:10 says Satan is the thief that comes to steal, kill and destroy. Revelation 12:10 calls him our accuser. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Jesus also called him a liar and a murderer.
Let the description of Satan sink in. Thief, accuser, devourer, liar, murderer! Not only does Satan show us no favor- he hates us because we are created in the image and likeness of God. Since he is also the prince of this world, it stands to reason that the world doesn’t favor us either.
In John 15:18 Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” We represent the name this world hates. Matthew 10:22 says, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” The sooner we realize we are in this world but not of this world the better our walk with the Lord becomes. Truly, the world despises us, but we have the favor of God.
In Psalm 106:4, favor is the Hebrew word “rawtsome” which means delight or desire. God delights in our well-being and desires to see us ultimately triumph. His favor is not hidden; it is seen in how He makes us to stand strong. Psalm 30:7 says, “Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong…”
Having God’s favor in our lives is no accident. It is directly tied to obeying His commandments. Proverbs 3:1-4 definitely points this out:
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
God’s favor includes His abiding presence and steady help as we walk through this life. It also includes eternal preservation of what we have committed to Him. Consider the following verses:
Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence (Psalm 140:13).
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head (Psalm 3:3).
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (II Timothy 1:12).
Do we have the favor of God? Believers most certainly do have the favor of God. Let us recognize His favor for the great benefit that it is. Let us be thankful that God has extended it to us for this life and all eternity.
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 