Video link: WHERE WE NEED GOD’S FAVOR
WHERE WE NEED GOD’S FAVOR
(Favor makes you visible and recognized)
Psalm
5:12: “For
You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround
him as with a shield.”
God’s favor can accomplish what our strength, connections, education, or resources cannot accomplish.
1. WE NEED FAVOR WITH OUR SUPERIORS
Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison, yet God gave him favor even with the prison warden.
Genesis 39:21–23: “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy; He granted him favor in the sight of the warden...”
If God could give Joseph favor while he was a prisoner, how much more can He give us favor as we work freely and faithfully?
We need God's favor with our bosses, supervisors, managers, leaders, clients, and people who have authority over us.
We should pray that they will recognize our value, treat us fairly, entrust us with greater responsibilities, recommend us for opportunities, and reward us appropriately.
Favor can make people see what God has placed inside us.
2. WE NEED FAVOR WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP US
We should never assume that God can only use people who belong to our denomination, church, or Christian circle.
Sometimes God places our blessing in the hands of people who do not know Him.
When Israel came out of Egypt, God gave them favor with the Egyptians, and the Egyptians gave them silver and gold.
Exodus 11:2–3: “And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians.”
Silver and gold belong to God. He can use anyone He chooses to accomplish His purposes.
3. WE NEED FAVOR OVER OUR COMPETITORS
Esther entered a situation where many women were competing for the position of queen. Yet she obtained favor.
Esther 2:15–17: “And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her... and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins.”
Esther did not have to manipulate her way to the top. God's favor distinguished her.
We should not pray merely for our competitors to fail. We should pray for God's favor to distinguish us and cause us to succeed through integrity, excellence, wisdom, and divine opportunity.
In business, employment, ministry, academics, and other areas of life, favor can give us an advantage that human ability alone cannot provide.
4. WE NEED FAVOR FOR DELIVERANCE FROM SHAME
Hannah carried the pain and shame of childlessness for years.
She went before God, poured out her heart, and continued believing.
Eli eventually told her: 1 Samuel 1:17: “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
Hannah went home believing before she saw the answer. Eventually, the Lord remembered her.
Some of us need God's favor to remove shame from areas of our lives.
God is able to turn seasons of shame into testimonies of His faithfulness.
5. WE NEED FAVOR FOR OUR WORDS, THOUGHTS, AND PLANS
Not every good-looking idea is God's idea.
We should not make our plans independently and then ask God to bless them afterward. We should involve God from the beginning.
Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Our thoughts, words, decisions, projects, businesses, ministries, and plans need God's approval.
Job 22:28: “You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.”
The best plans are those that are born in prayer, obedience, wisdom, and fellowship with God.
Dr Lawi Mshana, +255712924234, Tanzania
