Are you looking for God’s favor? Do you long for His blessings? In this Psalm 5:12 Devotional, we’ll explore what it means to have His favor and how you can find it in your life today!
Spoiler Alert: We Already Have His Favor
It seems that lately I’ve been praying a lot and asking God to show me His favor. At times maybe even begging Him for it. But the response I got back was silence, crickets, nothing.
Then suddenly, I did get an answer… God gently told me that I already have His favor. How could this be?
You see, I’ve always thought of God’s favor as something to strive for and work toward, an elusive object just out of my reach. Finding God’s forgiveness and constant favor seemed impossible. So how is it possible that I could already have it when I didn’t try so hard to get it?
I delved deep into the scriptures and discovered a shining diamond of truth I would love to share with you today.
What Does It Mean to Have God’s Favor?
We all want to experience God’s blessings, but what does it really mean to have His favor? Like me, many people think favor is something they have to work for, striving to earn our Heavenly Father’s divine blessing through good deeds. But the Bible tells us something different, His favor is a gift, freely given to those who put their trust in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s favor isn’t based on our efforts at all. It comes from His unchanging goodness, and the Bible assures us of this powerful truth…
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Psalm 5:12 NKJV
This is the verse the Lord gave me as I prayed to understand what He meant when He said that I already have His favor. It paints a vivid picture of a warrior in battle surrounded by the protection of his shield. No arrow could find him and no man could knock him down while his shield defended him from the opposing forces.
God’s favor is like this shield in the battle of life. It surrounds us, protects us, and keeps us covered by His loving embrace. Whenever we go and whatever we face God’s favor is there with us and for us.
This verse reveals the true blessing of God’s favor—a powerful shield of love that surrounds and protects His righteous people. Just as a warrior is guarded by a large shield in battle, the favor of the Lord defends us in times of trouble. It’s not something we have to beg for or chase after; it is already ours through faith. This scripture reminds us that those who seek to live a godly life are covered by God’s constant favor and love.
The Difference Between Grace and Favor
We all know that God’s grace and our salvation through Jesus Christ is a free gift given to those of us who believe. And we know that no matter what we do or how bad we mess up our salvation can’t be lost.
But here’s the truth that God in His infinite wisdom shared with me… If we’re saved by the blood of Jesus, then we already have God’s favor.
Maybe this isn’t news to you, but it was to me. Maybe you already know about God’s favor in your life, and I hope you do. However, this is a lesson that God wants to teach me right now.
God’s Word makes it clear that favor is an extension of the grace of the Lord.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
As I began to realize just how wrong I had been about God’s favor and how to obtain it, I wanted to look at exactly what His favor is and how can we find it in our lives.
Of course, I knew that grace was a free gift from God and that I couldn’t work to get it. But somehow I thought of grace and favor as different and separate, one given freely and the other earned through obedience, but they’re not. In fact, grace and favor are the same!
The blood Jesus shed for us on Calvary cloaks us in His righteousness, giving us the exceeding riches of His grace. And our faith in Jesus’ name makes us righteous in the eyes of the Father. When God looks at us He sees this righteousness covering us.
This is God’s promise, that we don’t have to strive for His favor. It’s a gift for all Christians just as His grace is. There’s no amount of work we can ever do to earn it. We can only graciously accept this free gift. Just as David’s confidence rested in God’s goodness, we too can rest in the blessing of grace that surrounds us.
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The Hand of God in His Favor
God’s favor is not just an idea, it’s the very hand of faith that guides and protects us. Throughout the Bible, we see how the righteousness of God upholds us as we trust in Him.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Even when we don’t recognize it, Our Father God and His over-ruling providence is at work, directing our steps and keeping us on the right path. When we walk in faith, He holds us up with His righteous right hand and shield of love, strengthening and guarding us against whatever comes our way.
How Can You Find God’s Favor in Your Life?
If you’re wondering how to step into God’s favor, the truth is simple… you don’t have to find it, because it is already yours! Here are some ways to live out the grace of God and His favor in your life.
- Seek a relationship with God – Spend time in God’s presence through prayer and His Word.
- Live according to God’s standards – Walk in obedience, trusting in the righteous thing even when it’s difficult.
- Let go of striving – Remember, you don’t have to earn favor, you only need to receive it by faith.
What Does the Bible Say About God’s Favor?
Both the Old Testament and New Testament are filled with examples of God’s people receiving God’s blessings through His favor. The heritage of the Lord has always included spiritual blessings for those who trust in Him. Here are a sampling of the inspiring stories of how God’s favor transformed ordinary people into heroes of the faith…
- David was a shepherd boy overlooked by men but chosen by God. His favor led him from the fields to the throne, securing his place as a man after God’s own heart and the ruler of Israel.
- Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, yet God’s favor elevated him to second-in-command over Egypt, where he saved countless lives, including his own family.
- Esther, an orphan girl, found favor with the king and was positioned to save her people from destruction, demonstrating how the Lord’s favor places us in the right place at the right time.
- Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord during a time of great wickedness. God chose him to build the ark and preserve humanity and creation from the flood.
- Daniel remained faithful to God despite living in exile in Babylon. God’s favor protected him in the lions’ den and elevated him to a position of great influence.
- Mary, a humble young woman, received God’s favor in a way that changed the world forever. She was chosen to bring our Savior Christ Jesus into the world, fulfilling prophecy and revealing God’s divine plan of redemption through her obedience.
- The Apostle Paul was once a persecutor of Christians, however through God’s favor, he was transformed into one of the greatest messengers of the Good News. He endured many hardships but was empowered by the help of the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
- Zacchaeus, a tax collector with a very bad character, found favor when Jesus called him by name and extended God’s forgiveness to him. His life was radically changed, proving that God’s favor isn’t based on a person’s past but on His blessing of grace.
The Word of God tells us that His favor gives us protection, provision, and the blessings of grace. But it’s also a responsibility, anyone who receives God’s favor must honor Him and walk in God’s ways. His favor isn’t just about earthly prosperity, it’s about drawing closer to Him and living a God-centered life.
Living in the Blessing of God’s Favor
God’s favor isn’t something to chase after, it’s a true blessing already given to anyone who trusts Him. It isn’t dependent on our circumstances, good works, or ability to be perfect. It’s a reflection of His tender mercies, freely poured out because of His good will toward us.
If we want to find God’s favor in our lives, all we have to do is reach out and take it. It’s not the elusive object I once thought it was. God is there with open arms, waiting for us to grab hold of His favor. He wants to give it to us because He loves us.
This realization has changed my faith and renewed my heart and mind. I no longer feel like I’m working toward an unattainable goal. I can see clearly now that God has given me everything I need for my faith to flourish. He will bless me and surround me with His favor. And He will do the same for you!
Will you embrace the favor of God today?
I truly hope so. I pray that you will be blessed by God’s grace and favor in all areas of your life!
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[…] to grab hold of His favor. He wants to give it to us because He loves us.~ Connie Rowland – Finding God’s Favor […]
Praying for those in recovery with your program. May they feel God’s hand on them and experience His favor in their lives today!
Psalm 5:12 is such a beautiful truth! It could be said that Psalm 139 goes even deeper into explaining that idea of being surrounded, even though I don’t think the word “favor” is used in that Psalm. Another verse that goes along with these is Psalm 34:7; I think you’ll find it interesting to read this one in various translations, which is made easy on Bible Gateway.
I love your artwork! It’s beautiful! I love photographing flowers, too, but I usually only use them on my blog or facebook, and I don’t know if I have what it takes to ever develop an art line with them. You’re doing a great job! Keep up the good work!
Hi Ruth! Thank you so much! I will definitely check out Psalm 34:7. Bible Gateway is such a great tool. What did we do before we had it? It has taken we a few years of long hours to create my artwork but it is my passion. I truly appreciate your kind words of encouragement!
I love that God showed you this so gently. It’s truly humbling to grasp that we stand before God with nothing but Jesus’ blood and righteousness. We are clothed in them and loved as Christ is loved. Not sure I can truly grasp this to the extent it needs to be!
Hi Amy! Thanks for your encouraging words. It is humbling for sure. And I do love knowing we are loved as Christ. So amazing!
Yes, Connie. We have not only favor but a lot more than we realize in His finished work.
Thank you Rebecca. You are always such an encouragement!