1 Samuel 2:26
26 And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.
Luke 2:52
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Our theme for the month of July is, “God’s Favour”. Every one of us do need favour at one time or the other. I have however found out that, all we need is God’s favour. God’s favour, simply put is God stepping into our situation to make a difference. I am not talking about the unmerited favour of God – Grace. I am talking about connecting with God’s goodness, mercy and grace. When it looks as though everyone else is struggling, fighting and pulling their hair out to find favour from men, because you are connected to His goodness, mercy and grace. His favour opens door to you. The above scriptures clearly indicates that Samuel and Jesus increased in favour with God and so found favour with men.
People came to Jesus from all over to listen to Him, miracles, signs and wonders followed His ministry, people gave to His ministry, People helped Him even at His death and burial. His cross was carried by Simon of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32), His tomb was a gift from Joseph of Arimathea a rich man (Isaiah 53:4 - 6, 10 - 11, Matthew 27:57 - 60, Luke 23:50 – 53)
Samuel also grew in favour with God and with man, God did not allow any of his word to fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19). He was highly revered by all; God gave Him honour. When we find favour with God; we are bound to find favour with men.
When a man has God’s favour upon his life, he/she will be connected to everything good that is from God. When God’s hand is upon your life, His goodness will follow you in time of adversity. Joseph was a slave in Egypt, yet he found favour with Potiphar in a foreign land, because hand was upon his life.
Genesis 39:1-4
Now Joseph had been taken (A)down to Egypt. And (B)Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.
Because God’s favour was with Joseph, everything Joseph did prospered, Joseph was successful, he found promotion in the most unlikely places, even in prison.
Genesis 39:21-23
21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
God gave Joseph favour because Joseph had found favour with God.
Many times, we try very hard, looking for favour with our employers, with friends, with people in general. It eludes us, we become frustrated, we become upset and sometimes dejected and depressed. I want to submit to you today that it is more difficult to find favour with man if you have not obtained favour from God.
Proverbs 12: 2 says A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
A good man is not a perfect person, but has obtained God’s grace, because he has made the Lord God his habitation. He has chosen God as his saviour. He has chosen to trust and believe God as his redeemer. A good man is that man who fears and honours the Lord. A good man obtains God’s divine kindness and His act of true compassion.
The book of proverbs says – When a man’s way pleases the Lord even the man’s enemy is at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
Today I want you to know child of God, that if God is for you, no one can be against you. (Romans 8:31)
You are loved and favoured
