Sermon # 45 - Favor With God And Men Series

The words of Solomon as found in Proverbs 21:1, “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” (ESV)

All through this year we have studied the various aspects of the hand of God, as is made evident in our lives as His children. The above mentioned verse discloses the truth that the king’s heart is like a stream of water that is controlled by the hand of the Lord, and that He can maneuver it any way He wishes to.

This principle is applicable to everyone whom God has placed in authority over us. If there are those who are fearful of circumstances, unsure of their superiors, the word of God comes to assure us that all authority is kept under His perfect control. There is therefore no power on earth that is beyond the Lord’s command.

If the hand of the Lord is with us, we can be certain that we will find favor with God and with men. It is paramount then that we must primarily seek to find favor with God. It is only because the favor of God rests on us that we have a right to be called children of God, be part of His body the church, are able to worship Him, and listen to His word. But, in order to live our lives here on the earth, we require the favor of God, combined with the favor of men.

Favor can be defined as an act of kindness that is beyond what is due or usual. For instance when we go to a bank, if the cashier is a person who is known to us, and hence calls to us and accelerates our request, we can refer to this as a personal favor. However, if the bank manager were to come out of his room, and did the same so as to expedite our work, when we did not go to him, then we perceive that it is the favor of God shown to us through that man. When God shows favor on us we will find that this will be apparently displayed to us by the favors we receive from men in every area of our lives.

Jesus found favor with God and men

We read in Luke 2:52, Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity. He gained favor from God and people. (GW)

Just as Jesus grew day by day in favor with God and men, we too must yearn, and pray to God that every single day we live in His favor, and find favor with everyone we meet. If we do so we will most assuredly experience wonderful miracles in our lives.

The early church found favor with God and men

We read in Acts 2:47, “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Webster)

The early church that Jesus established were also recipients of God’s favor which resulted in them finding favor with all people, and the Lord was adding to the church daily those who were being saved.

All of us need to have the assurance that we too have received favor from God. God is no longer angry with us, for the wrath of God was turned towards Jesus, when He took the punishment for our sins on the cross. When God looks at us, He beholds us as He would Jesus Himself, for on the cross Jesus took on Himself our sins, so that God the Father can now consider us righteous, just as He did Jesus. We were the sinners, unworthy, fit for judgement and punishment, but Jesus the righteous one, took our punishment on Himself, so that we could also be justified, and be declared righteous before God the Father. It is because of this justification that we are now qualified to find favor with God, and with men.

Abraham found favor with God and Abimelech

We read in Genesis 21:22, At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do. (ESV)

Also in Genesis 21:23, So make a vow here in the presence of God that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so promise that you will also be loyal to me and to this country in which you are living." (GNB)

It is recorded in Genesis 21:25 Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well which the servants of Abimelech had seized. (GNB)

Abraham was a nomad, but God was blessing him so much that Abimelech who was the king of the territory that Abraham resided in sought after him. Abimelech and Phicol the commander of the army recognized that God was with Abraham, and also testified to him that ‘God was with him in all he did.’