By Pastor Daphne Yang
One of the most beautiful promises of God is found in Psalm 30:5, “For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may endure for a night, but a shout of joy
comes in the morning.”
Imagine having a lifetime of favour although God may allow affliction for a season; for as surely as the day dawns, joy is coming in the morning.
Favour is not love because God loves everyone the same (Romans 5:8). It’s the gospel of His glad tidings of great joy, all because Jesus has come! Heaven came down instead of hell and it’s because of the absolute, incredible, incomparable love of God.
It’s not favouritism because some people think that if they do certain things, they will somehow earn the favour of God, but this misses the whole point of Christianity for we know God doesn’t show partiality (Romans 2:11).
It’s not grace because we’re saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Charles Spurgeon said, “If heaven were by merit, it would never be heaven to me, for if I were in it, I should say ‘I am sure I am here by mistake; I am sure this is not my place; I have no claim to it.’ But if it be of grace and not of works, then we may walk into heaven with boldness.”
It’s also not about blessings because we don’t turn around expecting favours from God or go to Him only for something from Him, and not for God Himself. God’s hand doesn’t slip, and He never makes a mistake; His every move is for our ultimate good and His favour does lead to blessings.
When favour is upon us, it’s what we need in every season of our lives; it’s like a key which allows us access for promotion but not for self-promotion. It’s His gracious kindness for every revelation in its season, the tangible expression of God’s approval with the guarantee of God’s presence and the provision of His power.
Favour destines us for a special purpose because favour changes our lives. His presence and power are not bestowed upon us so that we should sit on it. For those who have favour with the Lord may still experience trial and suffering because favour is not intended for our convenience.
In fact, it would almost certainly guarantee that our lives are going to get harder and not become easier, because favour is meant to allow us to complete the task we were purposed for. We’re to seize the opportunities set before us to accomplish His special purpose in and through our lives!
To Mary, the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.”
(Luke 1:30), and immediately after we see both Mary and Joseph being confronted with some very difficult but necessary decisions regarding their future.
Noah found favour and grace in the eyes of the LORD; he was a righteous man, blameless in his evil generation and who walked faithfully in fellowship with God (Genesis 6:8-9). He was given the mission to build an ark because the whole earth was going to be destroyed in the great flood.
What if Noah got distracted and didn’t obey God by building the ark? Noah’s obedience determined whether he would walk in the blessings of that opportunity.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was a slave in Egypt. In the house of Potiphar, it was God who caused all that he did to succeed and prosper.
Potiphar saw that “the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So, Joseph found favour in Potiphar’s sight and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.” (Genesis 39:3-4)
We read that the favour of God was with Joseph, yet he encountered difficulty everywhere he went. God
never leaves those He favours, and His favour could be felt in the spirit in every season of Joseph’s life, even in his trials.
When you truly walk in God’s favour, it’s not about who you are, but Who is inside of you.
Esther shows us how submission brings favour when she doesn’t take matters into her own hands. With her submission, humility, and confidence in God, she won the favour of everyone who saw her.
“When the turn came for Esther to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the
king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested.” (Esther 2:15)
Esther received immediate care and attention, she received whatever provision she required – given the
best place with helpers, assistants, and attendants. Favour was all around her and at that very moment
God was working behind the scenes in her life, arranging things in her favour.
Although we’re to have confidence that whatever happens the plan of God shall succeed, so very often it also reveals the frailty of the flesh. Knowing the temptation around and by the examples given for our edification, Esther needed to stay in faith!
We, too, need to keep faith so as to create an atmosphere of favour in our lives that can overflow to others. Having this same confidence, Hebrews 10:35-36 reminds us, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”
Having our eyes illumined to the blessings in every situation that were previously unseen, we’ve the guarantee of His presence and the provision of His power to equip us in our struggles. Understanding that our devotion and trust in Him will be rewarded.
When someone has the favour of God, a peace rests in their spirits in the midst and till the end of the trials.
When the Lord passes His choicest and most beloved servants through such a veil of suffering, at times it might appear as if it would bring them to the very gate of hell. Only obey Him today and know that wherever God leads you, His favour will follow.
Suffering is the very best gift He has to give us, and He gives it only to His chosen friends. So maybe you need
to re-look at what that favour in your life is all about so that you would choose to walk in obedience.
The Lord blesses the righteous and covers him with favour as with a shield (Psalm 5:12), and these
experiences will produce in us great discernment and gratefulness.
When you truly walk in God’s favour, it’s not about who you are, but Who is inside of you. Hosea 6:1 says,
“Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will
bind us up.” God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.