What Is The Favor Of God?

The favor of God is a concept that many desire to understand and experience in their lives. In a world filled with trials and uncertainty, the idea of having God’s supernatural blessing and endorsement can provide great comfort and assurance.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The favor of God refers to the blessings, protection, support, and supernatural empowerment that God grants to his faithful followers out of his love and grace.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore the meaning of God’s favor, examine biblical examples of those who received it, discuss the relationship between God’s favor and faith, and provide practical tips for experiencing more of God’s favor in your daily life.

What is Meant by the Favor of God?

The favor of God refers to His divine approval, endorsement, blessings, protection, grace, and provision in the life of a believer. It goes beyond human logic or reasoning and operates through faith in God’s promises.

His favor brings breakthroughs, open doors of opportunity, victory, restoration and destiny fulfillment.

Divine Approval and Endorsement

When someone has the favor of God upon their life, it means they carry an endorsement from heaven. God smiles upon them and approves of their pursuits and destinies. Psalms 5:12 says “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

“ This divine endorsement brings supernatural confidence, boldness, influence and impact.

Favor also provokes favor and blessing from people. Genesis 39:21 says of Joseph “the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. “ When God favors someone, even their enemies are at peace with them (Proverbs 16:7).

His favor naturally attracts support and cooperation.

Supernatural Blessings and Protection

The favor of God empowers believers to accomplish more than their natural talents, abilities or strengths could produce alone. His favor brings supernatural blessings and opens doors of opportunity that no man can shut (Isaiah 22:22). It causes things to work out for their good (Romans 8:28) and no weapon formed against them shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).

Psalms 5:12 equates God’s favor to a shield of protection. Just like a king’s scepter grants access and authority, the favor of God grants insulation against satanic assaults, injustice, plots and schemes. It wards off demonic oppression, betrayal and character assassination.

Unmerited Grace and Provision

The favor of God also speaks of His unmerited, unearned and undeserved grace. It is not based on our works or performance but on His goodness, compassion and lovingkindness. Exodus 33:19 says “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence.

I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

This sovereign grace empowers believers to do exploits for God and obtain promises beyond natural qualifications, like David defeating Goliath. God’s favor also provokes timely provision, rescue and breakthrough from dire needs and dangerous situations. Psalms 41:1-3 says “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.

The LORD protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”

Biblical Examples of God’s Favor

Noah Found Favor in God’s Eyes

In the book of Genesis, we read about a righteous man named Noah who found favor with God. At a time when the earth was filled with evil and violence, Noah stood out as a man of faith and obedience. Genesis 6:8 says, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

God decided to spare Noah and his family from the coming judgement of the flood. He instructed Noah to build an ark and gave him exact specifications to follow. For over 100 years, Noah worked on the ark, enduring ridicule from others all the while trusting in God’s promise.

When the rains came and flooded the earth, Noah and his family were safely protected in the ark. What an incredible example of God’s sovereign protection and supernatural favor!

God Showed Favor to Mary

The young virgin Mary was highly favored by God to carry and give birth to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. In Luke 1:28, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary saying, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!

The Lord is with you.” Mary was an ordinary young woman of humble means, yet God’s sovereign favor rested upon her. Though she would face misunderstanding and shame from others, Mary courageously trusted God’s calling. Her life was forever changed as she became the mother of the Holy Son of God.

As the angel declared, “For no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37). Mary’s obedience led to the birth of the Savior and the redemption of mankind. Truly, this was supernatural favor from heaven!

Joseph Experienced Supernatural Favor

In the gospels, we read how Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, experienced exceptional favor and blessing from God. First, an angel appeared to Joseph, easing his concerns over Mary’s pregnancy and encouraging him to proceed with the marriage. What faith this must have required!

Later, Joseph was further warned in a dream to flee to Egypt and protect baby Jesus from Herod’s massacre. And finally, an angel told Joseph when it was safe to return home to Nazareth. Through divine dreams and intervention, Joseph received insider information and protection on how to care for the Christ child.

Joseph was an ordinary carpenter, yet God showed him uncommon supernatural favor. His situation highlights God’s remarkable ability to guide and guard His children!

The Relationship Between God’s Favor and Faith

Faith Pleases God and Allows Us to Receive His Favor

Our faith is crucial for receiving God’s favor. As Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

When we have faith in God and seek Him earnestly, it shows we trust Him and want to obey Him. This type of faith pleases God and opens the door for His blessings and favor in our lives.

For example, we see this with Noah in Genesis 6. Noah believed God’s warning about the coming flood and diligently followed His instructions to build the ark. Because of Noah’s faith, he found favor with God and was spared from the flood (Genesis 6:8).

His faith in God’s word allowed him to experience God’s protection and blessing.

The same applies to us today. When we step out in faith, trusting God’s promises and living according to His principles, we position ourselves to receive His blessings. As James 1:25 says, “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

Acting in faith brings God’s favor.

God’s Favor Comes Through Faith, Not Works

A key aspect of faith is that it allows us to receive God’s grace and favor freely, not because of our own works or efforts. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

No matter how hard we work, we can never earn salvation or deserve God’s blessings on our own.

Romans 4 highlights this truth powerfully. Abraham did not receive God’s promise of many descendants through the law or circumcision (works), but through believing God’s word. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3).

Similarly, God’s favor also comes to us freely through faith, not laborious works we do to try earning it.

When we have faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross, we gain access to God’s grace, which includes His favor and blessings. As Romans 5:2 says, “through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Faith is the gateway into God’s grace and favor.

We Must Remain Faithful to Keep Experiencing Favor

While faith opens the door to God’s favor, we must remain faithful over time to keep experiencing it. God looks for persistent faith that endures, not short-lived belief. Jesus told a parable about the seed sown on rocky places that represents those who hear God’s word and receive it with joy, but then fall away when trouble comes because they have “no root” (Mark 4:17).

Their faith is fleeting.

In contrast, Hebrews 10:35-36 encourages, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

When we maintain confident faith in God through all circumstances, we will fully obtain His promises and blessings.

The life of Abraham again provides a great example. After waiting many years, he finally received God’s promise of a son through miraculous provision. However, Abraham’s faith was then tested when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac.

Because Abraham persevered in faith and obedience, God blessed him mightily (Genesis 22:15-18). His enduring faith led to greater favor.

When we cling to faith in God through every up and down in life, we demonstrate that our trust in Him is genuine. This steadfast faith pleases God immensely and empowers us to walk fully in His blessings and favor.

As James 1:12 declares, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

How to Increase God’s Favor in Your Life

Cultivate a Close Relationship with God

Drawing near to God in prayer, worship, and reading His Word allows us to know Him more intimately. The closer we are to God, the more we experience His blessings and favor. Make spending quality time with God a priority every day.

Talk to Him constantly through prayer and listen to His voice through scripture. As we seek God first, He promises to provide for our needs and shower us with undeserved grace (Matthew 6:33).

Walk in Obedience to God’s Commands

God blesses those who wholeheartedly obey His commands. When we honor God with how we live, He will honor us with favor and blessing. For example, by tithing and giving generously, we activate the principle of sowing and reaping.

As we sow financial seeds in faith and obedience, we reap a harvest of blessing (Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Walking in purity, forgiveness, honesty and other virtues also unleashes God’s favor.

Serve God Wholeheartedly

When we use our gifts and talents to serve God and others, we position ourselves under an open heaven. As we meet the needs of people in Jesus’ name, He promises to meet our needs in return (Matthew 25:35-40). Look for ways to selflessly serve in your local church, community and around the world.

Volunteer, give to missions, use your skills to bless others. Service done with the right heart posture draws God’s favor.

Have Faith and Expect Favor

God moves when we come to Him in bold faith, fully expecting His goodness and miraculous favor. Hebrews 11:6 says that “without faith it is impossible to please God”. As we believe God’s promises and lift up big prayers, aligning our faith with His Word, mountains move!

Remain hopeful through trials, thanking God in advance for doing the impossible. This audacious faith releases the supernatural blessings of God in every area – healing, provision, open doors, victory.

Conclusion

God’s favor is an incredible gift that allows us to experience His supernatural blessings and power. While we can never earn God’s favor through our own efforts, we position ourselves to receive it by having faith, pursuing closeness with God, living obediently, and serving Him wholeheartedly.

As you seek the Lord with all your heart and align your life fully with His purposes, you can trust that His favor will empower you to thrive and make a profound impact for His Kingdom.