When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; then said they among the heathen, “the Lord hath done great things for them” (Psalm 126:1)
Favour connotes an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual; when a person is favoured, things work to their advantage. When conditions are favourable (characterised by favour), they result in good outcomes positive results. And when a person becomes a favourite (particularly of the almighty God), such a person becomes preferred above all others of the same kind. Quite often a person who is highly favoured of God can experience blessings that appear too good to be true very much like a dream! May we be positioned to walk and operate under the covering of God’s uncommon blessings.
What does favour do? It opens doors that would have otherwise been shut. It also brings about great promotion, and preferential (positive) treatment with its attendant benefits. Joseph was prosperous even in prison and in a foreign land because of God’s favour; Esther was favoured and it resulted in a royal crown being put upon her head (Genesis 39:2-6, 20-23; Esth 2:17)
Where does favour grow? Favour increases in certain atmospheres and with certain relationships. Divine favour certainly grows with obedience to God and people in authority; favour increases with excellence. It can also diminish when a person is disloyal, disobedient, or with the wrong company of people; when a person falls out of favour, they can be likened to a person dwelling in a “dry land”; Samson is one such pitiful example (Psm 68:6, Dan 5:12, Acts 2:46-47)
What must we do? In addition to obedience, holiness and living right, believers need to contend against people and forces that work to discredit us or make us fall out of favour through wrong accusations and maliciousness. However, God’s children DO NOT have to do the wrong things in order to try and obtain the undue favour from people or organisations (Esth 1:12, 19; Prov 3:3-4).
Conclusion: It has been said that “A day of favour is greater than many days of labour”; similarly, favour can restore in a day what the enemy stole in a lifetime. Therefore “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace”. Amen! (Numbers 6:24-26)