Have you ever wondered what it means to have God’s favour? Or how can you increase it in your life? The concept of divine favour is a powerful one, offering both comfort and challenge to those seeking a deeper spiritual walk.
At its core, God’s favour is His unmerited grace and blessing upon our lives. It’s not something we can earn like a paycheck, but rather a gift we steward and nurture. The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who found favour with God and, as a result, with people around them.
Consider Jesus himself, who “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). This simple verse reveals a profound truth – that even the Son of God increased in favour. It wasn’t static, but dynamic. This should encourage us that we, too, can grow in favour, following the ultimate example set by Christ.
But what does this growth look like practically? Jesus gave us a key insight when He said, “I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). This unwavering commitment to pleasing God is at the heart of increasing in favour. It’s not about perfection, but about consistently aligning our will with God’s will.
The Bible offers us numerous other examples of individuals who found favour with God. Noah was described as “blameless among the people of his time” and one who “walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9). Mary, the mother of Jesus, was greeted by the angel Gabriel with the words, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured!” (Luke 1:28).
These examples teach us that favour isn’t just about receiving blessings, but about character and faithfulness. It’s about how we conduct ourselves in both the big moments and the small, everyday interactions of life.
Take Joseph, for instance. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, he could have become bitter and resentful. Instead, we’re told that “the Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master” (Genesis 39:2). Even in the midst of unjust circumstances, Joseph’s attitude and work ethic attracted favour.
This brings us to an important point: favour with God often leads to favour with people. While we should never compromise our faith to please others, there’s a biblical principle at work here. Romans 14:18 tells us, “For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.”
Why is favour with people important? For several reasons:
1. It often opens practical doors for divine purposes. Think of Esther finding favour with King Xerxes, leading to the salvation of her people.
2. It can lead to promotion and the fulfilment of God’s destiny for our lives. David’s favour with Saul and the people positioned him for kingship.
3. It can be a shield in hostile environments. Daniel’s favour with successive rulers allowed him to maintain his integrity and influence through changing empires.
4. It provides a platform for God’s glory. When people favour you because of your excellence and integrity, it creates opportunities to point them to God.
So, how do we increase in favour? Here are some key principles:
1. Cultivate a consistent attitude of gratitude and service, even in challenging circumstances.
2. Be faithful with what God has already given you – your time, talents, testimony, and treasures.
3. Always seek to please God first, trusting that favour with people will follow.
4. Treat everyone with respect and kindness, from the CEO to the janitor.
5. Be excellent in your work, going above and beyond expectations.
6. Stay humble, giving God the glory for your successes.
7. Be willing to take stands for righteousness, even when it’s costly.
It’s crucial to remember that growing in favour isn’t about becoming more comfortable or accumulating blessings for ourselves. Rather, increased favour often comes with increased responsibility. As Jesus taught in the parable of the talents, “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:21).
The goal of growing in favour is ultimately to have a greater impact on God’s kingdom. It’s about becoming more effective in our witness, more influential in our spheres, and more aligned with God’s purposes for our lives.
As we pursue this growth, we must recognise our utter dependence on the Holy Spirit. It’s only through His power that we can consistently live in a way that attracts God’s favour. On our own, we’ll inevitably fall short. But filled with the Spirit, we can develop the kind of winsome, Christ-like character that draws both God and people to us.
In closing, let’s remember that the favour of God is magnetic. It’s attractive. It’s inviting. When we walk in God’s favour, it doesn’t just benefit us – it creates a ripple effect that touches everyone around us. Our workplaces are blessed because of our presence. Our families experience the overflow of God’s goodness. And most importantly, people are drawn to the God we serve.
So today, let’s commit to growing in favour. Let’s steward well what God has already given us. Let’s cultivate attitudes of gratitude, excellence, and service. And let’s trust that as we seek first to please God, He will increase His favour upon our lives in ways we can’t even imagine.
May we all hear those beautiful words one day: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And may our lives be a testament to the transformative power of walking in the favour of God.
