God’s favor abounds

If God was able to choose Mary among the millions of women in the world and make her the mother of our beloved Jesus, it means that God also knows your address, knows where you are, sees you daily. His Word makes us understand that ‘His eyes are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to his prayers’ (1 Peter 3: 12a)

What made Mary stand out was the divine favor, God save you, Mary, greatly favored… (Lk 1,28). God’s favor abounds, but only the righteous are qualified to meet God’s favor.

There are examples of great personalities in the Bible who enjoyed much of God’s favor in their lives, such as Daniel. Daniel was in a strange land, Babylon; even so, he was appointed one of the king’s ministers. The Bible records that Daniel was highly favored by God, ‘now God had put Daniel in favor…’ (Daniel 1:9).

Another perfect example was Joseph. He was continually favored and received the height of it when he was appointed Prime Minister in Egypt; this was a slave boy with no apparent qualification for leadership. (Gen 39:21-23).

God’s favor was also evident in ancient times when he delivered the Israelites from the land of Egypt. He declared the package of favor in Ex 3:21; His promise was fulfilled in Ex 12:35-36.

It is true that the examples above were highly favored by God, one factor is constant in the life of the examples given, the Fear of God. They were righteous in the eyes of God. That is an important prerequisite for enjoying God’s favor. Proverbs makes it clear in chapter 14:9, ‘fools scoff at sin, but among the righteous there is grace.’ Mary also stated in Luke 1:50, ‘and his mercy is on them that fear him…’ The benefits of living a righteous life and walking in God’s ways cannot be overstated.

God’s favor is all we need to live and prosper in this world. We can go through the worries of this world and not feel itchy, even in this time of economic recession, climate change, environmental degradation and disasters, war, etc. We can find peace and favor in the midst of this chaos of everyday life if our minds stay on Him. Isaiah 26:3 says, ‘You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.’
Wish today the abundant favor of God, but make sure above all that you walk in His ways, because life is in His favor. (Psalms 30:5).