Mission Venture Ministries

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:5-8) 

According to this account in the Bible, the ancient world was so filled with wickedness and evil that God was grieved and sorry He had made mankind. That is why; He decided to eliminate every living creature on earth. But in the midst of all the corruption, Noah “found favor in the eyes of the Lord” and was rescued from the destruction of the flood. 

Our world today is also filled with sin and corruption, and as Christians, we are called to walk as Noah did, in the favor of God. 

The favor of God can be explained as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.” When we favor someone, we want to be with them. In the same way, God shows favor to the ones who honor and delight in Him. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” 

As we see, the favor of God is expressed by His approval, acceptance, support, provision, power, and joy. This is what He showed to Noah and also to Mary, the mother of Jesus when “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28); and it is also what He has manifested to everyone who has been saved by Jesus Christ. 

God’s favor was poured out on us at salvation when our sins were forgiven, and it is further displayed by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit who seals us as His children. His favor is a fact, and it is also something we can experience on a daily basis as we walk in it. 

After salvation, we should see the evidence of God’s favor working in our conversation, character, and conduct as we walk in the fullness of His Spirit. Our lifestyles and habits should indicate to those around us that we have the favor of God. Instead of worrying over the circumstances in our lives, we can have confidence in His presence with us and His faithfulness in answering our prayers. 

Another evidence of God’s favor is His willingness to communicate with us; and in turn our willingness to learn to listen to Him and obey His will. One of the first lessons we learned as children was to listen to our parents, and that’s exactly what we need to do in our relationship with our heavenly Father. Therefore, if all we do is talk to Him in prayer without listening to Him, we won’t know His will for us. 

If we make time to listen to Him, God makes these promises to us as written by the psalmist in Psalm 32:8.

• “I will instruct you.” The Lord gives us insight and understanding of His Word so we will know how to live our daily lives.
• I will “teach you in the way which you should go.” We don’t know what a day holds, but God does, and He will guide us throughout the day.
• “I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.” Every day we make decisions and encounter situations that challenge us because we don’t know what to do. What we need is personal direction from the Lord, and He will be faithful to provide it if we will listen. Because He loves us and wants us to obey His will, God continually gives us counsel through His Holy Spirit who is our internal guide. 

The Lord doesn’t save us and leave us to do the best we can, He desires to communicate with us if we’ll listen. However, listening to God demands our time and attention. The Holy Spirit who directed and led the apostles is the same one who indwells and guides us. We are tremendously blessed, yet we often don’t take the time to listen to Him. When our mind is so filled with other concerns it is impossible to hear Him. We need to understand however, that there is nothing more important that to make time so that we can heed to His voice and operate under His control.

When we have the favor of the Lord, we rest in quiet confidence that we are within the plan of God and we ask Him to “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11).

We become aware that He is there for us at all times (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20); and we walk with God as with our closest friend, and begin to see and appreciate the little blessings that God provides for our enjoyment, because God’s favor can be felt in our spirit.

As you look at yourself, are you walking in the favor of God? If so, what is the evidence of His favor in your life? 

If you are truly a child of God and are a born again believer you have nothing to fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Finding favor with the Lord keeps our lives and thoughts pure because we desire to please Him more than we desire to please ourselves. Those who are favored of God know that God is with them and that nothing can happen to them apart from His good purpose (Romans 8:28); and that His ears are attentive to their cry (Psalm 34:15).

If you want to find and enjoy God’s favor and are not a believer please check out the PLAN OF SALVATION. 

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