You have access to a secret weapon. 

This tool is like a treasure chest. It will grant you access to connections, experiences, resources, and opportunities you couldn’t receive on your own. 

The favor of God is a free gift to every person who proclaims Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, too few Christians receive favor, and even fewer understand how God uses it to position them. Favor is God’s tool for getting you to the places, people, and purposes He has for your life. 

Psalms 5:12 (NIV) says, “Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Becky and I pray this Psalm every morning and before we drive anywhere. The favor of God is an armor that will protect and provide for you. So, what is the favor of God? 

What is the favor of God?

As followers of Jesus, we want every aspect of our lives to have the favor factor. The favor factor occurs when a situation is marked by the miraculous. Favor includes the opportunities, connections, and experiences that can only be attributed to the hand of God. 

When God gives us favor, He gets the glory (and we get to tell excellent stories.) First and foremost, favor is God’s grace– a gift we can’t earn.

The Favor of God is Grace

In fact, the Bible often uses the words “favor” and “grace” interchangeably. Let’s look at two verses:

• 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) says, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
• Luke 1:30 (ESV) says, “And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’”

In both instances (as well as 150+ other times in the New Testament), the word charis is used. It translates to that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, good will, lovingkindness, and favor. 

So favor is an inextricable part of God’s grace. You can’t have one without the other. As Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

You can’t earn favor, but you can ignore it. Like any gift, you can choose to open it or not. This is so important– even though grace is free, you must choose to walk in God’s favor.

The Favor of God is Empowering

Psalm 90:17 says, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” The favor of God empowers us to do more, not less. This is critical. 

Many people misunderstand God’s grace as an invitation to sit on the sidelines and wait for God to do everything for them. This couldn’t be further from the truth! You have a holy Helper that wants to partner with you in everything you do. The Spirit of God, the Creator of the universe, lives within you. 

Because of God’s power that’s at work within you, you can carry and cultivate more. Of course, proper boundaries and rhythms of rest are vital. But never forget that faith is active, not passive. So, receive the empowering favor of God and take that step of faith. When you invite God into the process, He will establish the work of your hands.

The Favor of God Demonstrates Delight

God wants to bless you. Everything, including the very breath in our lungs, comes from Him. So, why is it so hard to believe that God wants what’s best for you? 

Psalm 37:27-28 says, “God directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” 

Favor is a way that God demonstrates His delight for you. God delights in the details, and His favor frequently speaks to the specific, intimate places in your heart. To be clear, you usually won’t get exactly what you want when you want it. However, God will direct your steps to something even better at exactly the right time.

Jesus knew God as His Father and encouraged His disciples to do the same. This offended the religious leaders of that time. How dare someone claim they are that close to God! Yet, that’s the very thing that Jesus invited us to do. 

He instructed, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” […] “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11).

So, ask away. God loves you, and He will direct your steps and your desires. Our Father gives really good gifts!

Related: Financial Favor: How to Attract Money to Your Life

The Favor of God Opens Doors 

One of the most remarkable aspects of God’s favor is where it takes you. When I was younger, I tried to kick down every door myself. Now, the Holy Spirit has shown me how to wait for God’s favor to open the right doors. It’s a whole lot easier and effective that way! 

The favor of God will lead you down the right path to accomplish His will for your life. Consider Joseph, who was betrayed and thrown in a pit by his brothers.

Genesis 39:4 (AMP) describes how God’s favor elevated Him to the palace: “So Joseph pleased [Potiphar] and found favor in his sight, and he served him. And [his master] made him supervisor over his house and he put all that he had in his charge.” Joseph went on to solve the food crisis in Egypt, which saved many from starvation. 

There’s also Daniel, the Israelite who chose to remain holy and refrain from eating unclean foods in Babylonian captivity. In the natural, this decision should have frustrated his superiors. However, God’s favor protected and promoted him.

Daniel 1:9 says, “Now God made Daniel to find favor, compassion, and loving-kindness with the chief of the eunuchs.” Daniel went on to interpret the king’s dreams and be highly influential in the government. 

The favor of God will open doors to your destiny, too. Steward your current season and wait for God to open the right doors. If you are faithful and obedient, God’s favor will lead you to the places and people you are intended to influence.