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“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” — Psalms 30:5.
His favor lasts a lifetime. You have to love that statement. Favor is granted out of goodwill rather than for justice or payment. In other words, it is a gift from God. You didn’t earn it. You can’t buy it. You can’t be so good that finally, God will say, “You have been so good; you have earned my favor.”
We know God is a God of justice and a God of favor. And His favor is for a lifetime. You cannot accurately define God without talking about His favor. Favor is a fundamental attribute of God that springs from His grace, mercy, and love. It’s what Jesus did on the cross that earned each of us the favor of God. Moses asked for it, and Abraham asked for it. You can ask for it. “Lord, show me favor.”
The favor of God on your life is evidence to the world that our unseen God is alive and at work in the lives of His people. His favor was meant to set us up, set us apart, and make us stand out to the world, to show God’s goodness, grace, and mercy.
David experienced as many ups and downs, triumphs and sorrows as anyone. He had seen it all as a shepherd, giant slayer, folk hero, warrior, fugitive, exile, father, and king. But in everything, David kept his eyes on the Lord. When times were tough, he cried out to God in frustration, and when God was faithful, David lifted his voice in praise.
If you want to have favor with God, be fully committed to His Son, Jesus Christ. Gain a heart like His, and display His characteristics in your life. Finding favor with God enables you to find favor with man. If we treat people the way we desire them to treat us, we will walk in favor with men. If we respect people and keep an eye out for the welfare of others, people will do the same for us. Proverbs 3:3-4 tells us, “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.”
Psalms 103:8-10 helps us see the attributes of our God. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.” That is favor.
Discussion Questions:
- We definitely want God’s favor. But having God’s favor doesn’t mean that this earthly life will be problem-free or pain-free. Jesus’ life and death demonstrate this perfectly. How is it that someone could be blessed and have God’s favor but experience such painful things at the same time?
- There is no room for God’s favor if we value something or someone over God. How can we ensure that doesn’t happen?