Have You Experienced the Favor of God on Your Life?

Image Credit:  Tessa Rampersad - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17

For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.  1 Peter 2:20

The Favor of God

We experience God’s stuff while we are going through the bad stuff.  When God does “God stuff” in the middle of the “bad stuff,” we experience the favor of God.

 The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.  Numbers 6:25

It has been said that Numbers 6:25 (above) refers to “the smile of God.”

Is it OK to desire the favor of God on your life? According to 2 Corinthians 1:11, absolutely!

You also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.  2 Corinthians 1:11

Who received God’s favor in the Bible?  Young people did – Samuel, David, Esther, Daniel, Ruth, Mary.

And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  Luke 1:28

In fact, we are to seek the favor of God (as opposed to the favor of man).

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10 

For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.  2 Chronicles 16:9

What does the favor of God look like in our lives?

Like a Shield

For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.  Psalm 5:12

Like a Cloud with the Spring Rain

In the light of a king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.  Proverbs 16:15

 Like Dew of the Grass 

The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.  Proverbs 19:12

How can we experience the favor of God personally?  The favor of God comes upon those who are surrendered to God.

And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”  And the angel departed from her.  Luke 1:38

And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord.  Luke 1:46

The Lord bless you, and keep you;

 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26