THE FAVOUR OF GOD

10th June 2012 Eltham Baptist Church

No. 378

There are many illustrations that help us realise how much God loves us and how He wants to shower upon us with His favour. We are all familiar with Psalm 23 that says Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

I was thinking of men who were highly favoured by God in the Bible. Two came to mind that lived exemplary lives and were highly favoured by God. One was Daniel and the other one Joseph. God called Daniel a man greatly beloved.
And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Daniel 10:11

The bible says many times, both in the new and the old Testaments that Joseph was highly favoured by God. He was a man that resisted temptation and was blessed where ever he went.
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain (favour) the goodwill of Pharaoh King of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. Acts 7:9 And Joseph found favour in the sight of his master, and ministered to him: and being set over all by him, he governed the house committed to him, and all ... Genesis 39:4

There are also two other men that come to mind that were also favoured by God, yet their lives were far from perfect, and that is David and Abraham. Both these men were called friends of God and its obvious that despite their flaws, God favoured them too and this gives us hope too.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. James 2:23

David was called a Man after his own heart. 1 Samuel 13:14 The beauty of these two men, despite their short comings was a hunger for God that surpassed their peers which also involved their faith. It says that Abraham believed God and it was credited to him and God responded to his faith and not just his need. Abraham lied often and disobeyed God, yet God responded to his faith and not just his need. If He responded to need then all the poor and sick people in the world would be sorted out now. Its obvious from the gospels that Jesus responded to faith and not just need. Look at the lame man at the Gate Beautiful. Jesus walked past him every day but never once went up to him and healed him year after year. It wasnt until Peter and John walked by in the Book of Acts and saw his faith that he was finally healed. Even though David was a king he claimed that he was poor and needy Psalm 70:5. He was far from poor financially for later in his life when Solomon wanted to build the temple David gave him millions of dollars of gold and silver towards its construction. He was hungry for God and sensed his spiritual poverty. What about us today with all our flaws? Are we also highly favoured by God? I would say indeed yes. The word is full of illustrations that show how favoured we are. God loves us with the enthusiasm of a young courting couple. As a young man delights in His maiden, so does God delight in us. Isaiah 62:5 We are likened to branches. "I am the vine; you are the branches. John 15:5. The same sap that flows through the vine is flowing through us. We are just as blessed as He is. Also look at.
John 17:23 May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

God loves us like a mother loves her child. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; Isaiah 66:13 And as a father loves His Son. But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, John 1:12

We are parts of His body, so its stands to reason that all the blessing that is upon Him flows to us.

After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the
church-- for we are members of his body. Ephesians 5:29-30

Have you ever noticed that there are some who seem to attract the favour of God? I would say that its not because of what they do but by what they believe. They may not be perfect even like Daniel or Joseph was but there is something else in their lives. The Apostle John used to lean his head upon the chest of Jesus and said of himself that he was the beloved disciple the one whom Jesus loved. Why was this? How could he say such a thing?
So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, John 20:2

Did God love John more than anyone else? I dont believe so. Its just that John appreciated the beauty of the Lord and loved and worshipped Him. He knew that Jesus loved Him. God has promised blessings upon us all of His Children but there are certain things in our lives that can attract His favour. Have you ever been in a caf with an open window and had sparrows come and eat food off your plate. Not every sparrow does this but only those who dare approach us humans. Most birds are scared of us and keep well away but they are the ones that miss out. He who dares wins. Those who dare to believe that Jesus loves us as a man loves His bride, a mother her child or as His own body, experience His favour to the max. Any sparrow could have come to the Masters table but only those who believed came and were blessed. A couple of years ago I upgraded my mobile phone to one of those smart phones that came free with a 2 year contract. At first I thought I wouldnt like a touch screen mobile but after a while I got used to it and now I would never go back. You can also download all sorts of apps (applications) from the internet that are free and help you with your telecommunication experience. There are so many apps available out there that its very confusing so its easier to just type in The 10 best apps and see what everyone else is finding helpful finding their favourites than hunt for them yourself. This saves you a lot of time and lots of frustration. I was thinking that our Christian walk is similar to this. What are the 10 best apps for my walk with God? What Apps would make my life easier and help me to avoid a lot of time wasting? We all want the favour of God on our lives and I believe its Gods will to do this for us but what attracts Gods favour? How do we gain favour? I want to share with some of my apps (applications) with you. Here are some that will help to attract the favour of God in your life. Delight yourself in the Lord. Worshiping the Lord will bring blessing.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Do more believing than just praying. At some point you have to start believing and not just ask all the time. Abrahams blessing and favour came from His believing. James 2:23 Instead of speak what you see and feel. Start speaking what you believe. Its amazing how much unbelief comes out of our mouths. This is so important and really does attract the favour of God. Abraham spoke those things that are not as though they were. Romans 4:17 One thing that is so important is to be set free from a stingy and a mingy spirit. Giving invokes Gods blessing on our lives. Look at these two verses. Sowing brings reaping, blessing and favour.
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit, says the Lord Almighty. Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:1012

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 http://ghotter.blogspot.com ghotter@live.com