What Comes to Mind When You Think About Favor?
Maybe you think of a friend, a colleague, or maybe even yourself. Who comes to mind when you think about the favor of God in Scripture? Joseph is a common answer to this second question. Joseph definitely had the favor of God AND the favor of his father Jacob, but it didn’t always look like he did. And it certainly didn’t seem like he had favor during the time he was a slave and a prisoner.
When looking for verses about favor in the Bible, you will find a lot more than sunshine and daffodils bordering the pathways of life. You will find Joseph as a slave, falsely accused and imprisoned. You will find Daniel in a den of hungry lions. And you will find Esther walking resolutely toward the possibility of her death. These things don’t seem very favorable at first glance. Let’s look at what we can find about the favor of God in the Bible.
15 Scriptures About God's Favor
- And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others]. (Genesis 12:2 AMPC) (emphasis mine)
Abraham was greatly blessed and favored because God chose him. He received God’s favor in order to dispense goodness to others and become a great nation. Abraham took care of his nephew’s family (not an easy task) as well as his own extensive household. Certainly, the favor of God came with great wealth, but it also came with great responsibility.
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- When his master realized that Yahweh’s presence was with Joseph and caused everything he did to prosper, Joseph found favor with Potiphar. He was quickly promoted to become the overseer of Potiphar’s house and was put in charge of all that he had. (Genesis 39:3-4 TPT) (emphasis mine)
The favor of God in the Bible flows through the one who is favored and affects everything they touch. God’s favor on Joseph gave him favor with Potiphar and made everything in Potiphar’s house prosper. But it still wasn’t easy street for Joseph. He worked hard, he walked in integrity and don’t forget, although he was favored, he was a slave.
- But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. (Genesis 39:21-22 NKJV) (emphasis mine)
God’s favor was on Joseph throughout his life, with the ultimate purpose being to save the nation of Israel. Favor is the empowering grace of God equipping you to fulfill His plans and purposes for you. It is also a choice you get to make every day of your life. Joseph could have chosen to be angry, resentful, and even spiteful, but he chose to be pleasing and obedient to the Lord.
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- And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed. (Exodus 3:21 NLT) (emphasis mine)
The children of Israel did not slink out of Egypt hoping no one would see them go. They were loaded with jewels and fine clothing, actually stripping the Egyptians of their wealth. The favor of God transformed them from slaves with nothing to wealthy, free men and women in the blink of an eye.
- Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew taller and grew in favor with the Lord and with the people. (1 Samuel 2:26 NLT) (emphasis mine)
Samuel had been consecrated to the Lord from before he was conceived, and God was preparing him to serve the children of Israel. God’s favor in the Bible points to a life of destiny and purpose which requires dedication, preparation, and hard work. Samuel began serving Eli the priest when he was a child, and during that time, he learned to hear God’s voice.
- …Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maid servants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maid servants to the best place in the house of the women. (Esther 2:8b-9 NKJV) (emphasis mine)
Esther had been taken from her home and her family to live with strangers. The favor she experienced communicated her part in the purpose and plan of God. As a young person, separated from her family, she trusted her counselors and walked in the integrity of her culture. The favor of God will get you to places and put you in front of people you could never access on your own. Esther influenced the heart of a king and rescued her people.
- For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them. (Psalm 44:3 NKJV) (emphasis mine)
The favor of God in Scripture is also tangible evidence of the love of God. In many places, the words “love” and “favor” are interchangeable with similar results. His character embraces loving, giving, caring, developing, inspiring, refining, and so much more. His favor makes those things available in your life and the lives of those around you.
- Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous. Your favor wraps around each one and covers them under your canopy of kindness and joy. (Psalm 5:12 TPT) (emphasis mine)
- I’ve learned that his anger lasts for a moment, but his loving favor lasts a lifetime! We may weep through the night, but at daybreak it will turn into shouts of ecstatic joy. (Psalm 30:5 TPT) (emphasis mine)
- For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalms 84:11 AMP) (emphasis mine)
God’s favor is available to everyone who calls on His name. He will not withhold His goodness or His favor from those He loves. Favor is a supernatural accelerator into the promises and provision of God. His favor is for you! It wraps around you and covers you with His kindness and joy.
- 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. (Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT) (emphasis mine)
- If you walk with the mockers you will learn to mock, but God’s grace and favor flow to the meek. (Proverbs 3:34 TPT) (emphasis mine)
The favor of God in Scripture is a key to the map of a godly life. Your decision to live a righteous life is made evident to others by the favor of God. There is a phrase often spoken flippantly after a success: “Wow. You must be living right!” The truth is that the favor of God follows godliness, and we see this throughout the Word—especially in Proverbs.
- And in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin [also called Coniah and Jeconiah] king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah [and showed favor to him] and brought him out of prison. Jehoiachin put off his prison garments, and he dined regularly at the king’s table all the days of his life. (Jeremiah 52:31, 33 AMPC) (emphasis mine)
By now you can see how favor is not a get-rich-quick scheme or a ticket to a life of ease. The definition of favor is “acceptance, good will, and preferential treatment.” Scriptures on favor reveal a connection to responsibility, purpose, choice, and hard work. The favor of God in your life will look the same.
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- Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. (Daniel 1:9 NKJV) (emphasis mine)
Daniel and his friends had favor in the court of the king, even though they were captives in a foreign land. God protected, educated, and promoted these men for the purpose of safeguarding the children of Israel during their time in exile. Daniel served under several different kings, but he never missed a day worshiping God, and he was faithful to speak the truth of God.
- And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. (2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP) (emphasis mine)
This scripture is addressed to you, and the favor of God is available to you. Take some time to study the abundance of scriptures about God’s favor you will find throughout the Word. Walking in favor is not always easy, but it is extraordinarily rewarding. You can experience life to the fullest and walk in the blessings of God starting today.
Want to Go Deeper in Understanding and Walking in God's Favor?
The favor of God is more than something you read about in Scripture. It’s something you can experience in your everyday life. If you’re ready to grow in faith and begin walking in God’s favor consistently, we’ve provided a powerful resource to guide you.
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This post was originally published on August 8, 2023 and has since been updated to serve you with more comprehensive content.
