What is the favor of God, and how can I get it?

Answer

The finest explanation of the term favor is “demonstrated delight.” The favor of God can be defined as “tangible proof that an individual has the approval of the Lord.” When we favor someone, we desire to be with them. We take pleasure in them. We form a connection with them in a way we do not with everyone. Typically, we favor individuals who also favor us. Similarly, God demonstrates favor to those who take pleasure in, connect with, and show respect to Him. Isaiah 66:2 states, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Second Chronicles 16:9 mentions, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (KJV). To be “perfect” toward Him means we seek His favor more than we seek the favor of anyone else, even ourselves.

Favor is closely linked to grace in the Bible. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). They experience the favor of God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God «But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. », (Hebrews 11:6), but those who have saving faith in God’s Son are declared righteous (Romans 4:5;Philippians 3:9) and live in God’s favor. The simplest response to “how can I obtain God’s favor” is “believe in the Lord Jesus.”

God seeks out those who love Him and His commands so that He can bless, guide, and protect them (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5-6). This does not imply that everyone who is prosperous or healthy has found favor with God (Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 37:7; Psalm 73:16). Nor does it mean that those whom the Lord favors will never face difficulties. Many individuals in the Bible had the Lord’s favor but also endured hardships (2 Corinthians 6:4; Acts 14:22; Acts 20:23; 1 Peter 2:19). Heroes such as Noah “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”, (Genesis 6:8), Moses (Exodus 32:11; Exodus 33:13), Daniel “and said, ‘O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.’ And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, ‘Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.'”, (Daniel 10:19), and Mary “And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.'”, (Luke 1:28) were favored by the Lord, but they also faced difficulties like everyone else.

Those favored by God understand that He is with them and that nothing can occur to them apart from His good purpose “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”, (Romans 8:28). They have His ear as they walk through dark valleys “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry.”, (Psalm 34:15) and know that their struggle to remain true to Him will not go unrewarded (Matthew 10:42; Revelation 2:10). In addition to outward evidences, God’s favor can be felt in the spirit. When we have the favor of the Lord, we rest in quiet confidence that our sins are forgiven “saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.”, (Romans 4:7), we are within the plan of God “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: Unite my heart to fear thy name.”, (Psalm 86:11), and that He is there for us at all times (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20). We walk with God as with our closest friend. We begin to see and appreciate the little blessings that God provides for our enjoyment—blessings that we once took for granted.

The Lord invites us to seek His favor (Psalm 119:58, 135; 2 Kings 13:4; Jeremiah 26:19; Zephaniah 2:3). When we seek His favor, we humble our hearts before Him “because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee,” saith the LORD.», (2 Kings 22:19); seek Him for Himself, not just for the blessings He gives «And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. », (Jeremiah 29:13); and arrange our lives around loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30;Luke 10:27). We seek first His kingdom and righteousness «But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. », (Matthew 6:33).

One way to obtain favor from the Lord is to seek wisdom. Proverbs 8:35 says, “For those who find me [wisdom] find life and receive favor from the LORD.” Psalm 5:12 says, “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Finding favor with the Lord keeps our lives and thoughts pure because we desire to please Him more than we desire to please ourselves. Hebrews 11:25 says of Moses, “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” When the same can be said of us, we know we have found favor with God. His delight in us will be demonstrated.