Have you ever asked someone for a “favor”? Sometimes, we all need help or “grace” from others. Favor from friends is common, but favor from strangers is rare.

There is favor from people, and there is favor from God—both are sought after. But favor from God will move you toward fulfilled destiny.

On our first trip to Israel, Carolyn and I experienced God’s favor through an airline. Guided by God, we were finalizing plans to travel and serve another ministry in Israel for a few weeks in the fall of 1992. Our travel agent reserved round-trip coach tickets for $1600 each, but because of the cost, we waited before booking and continued to pray for God’s favor.

A few days later, the travel agent reached out to us and said, “You’re not going to believe this, but I just found the same tickets for $833 each! Do you want me to book the tickets now?” Our answer was “Yes, book them!” God’s grace and favor were at work.

The story doesn’t end with the great ticket price. Carolyn asked God a simple request, “Father, this is the first international trip I’ve ever made, could we travel in first class?” One simple prayer during a quiet moment with God, and she didn’t think about it anymore.

A few weeks later, we arrived at the airport and boarded our flight to Israel. At the gate, a stewardess gave us our boarding passes and asked us to follow her—this felt unusual. It was a Boeing 747, a large plane with an upper deck for first and business class. The stewardess, without saying a word, led us to the stairwell that went up to the upper deck.

I told Carolyn, “I think she is taking us up to the first-class section!” To our surprise and joy, we found ourselves seated in business class just behind first class! God granted favor, Carolyn’s wish was fulfilled, and our understanding of God’s goodness and favor deepened.

We have traveled overseas many times since then, usually in coach, but we always remain grateful for God’s provision and the opportunity to serve Him. Sometimes, God grants us favor simply to bless us and show His love and care. However, God also grants favor to empower us to fulfill our purpose.

Today, I want to examine God’s favor. God’s favor is for a Purpose!

Know this: God grants favor and grace to those He can entrust with His purposes!

When we are faithful in small things, God can make us rulers over much. Your assignment has a purpose; God’s blessings and anointing are for a reason—that others would be blessed.

God loves us all equally, but His favor on our lives varies from person to person. We can cooperate with God for more.

What is favor? What does favor do? How can you gain favor with God? Let me try to answer these questions.

Consider Mary, “Rejoice highly favored (charitoō) one, the Lord is with you … you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:26-38 NKJV)

The Lord is REALLY with you, Mary! She found favor with God. Favor from the Greek charitoō means: “To be grace-bestowed. To be or become the recipient of God’s goodwill.”

The angel Gabrielle says to Mary, “For you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30) There will only be “one” Mary, but wouldn’t you like that pronouncement on your life? You have found favor with God!

We love to be liked by our peers and the authorities over us. Favor makes for an easier life and fewer difficulties. In terms of God’s Kingdom, we want the King to like us and others to honor us.

Gabriel told Mary she was “blessed.” (Luke 1:28) The Greek word for blessed is eulogeō, which means: “to speak well of, praise, extol, bless abundantly.”

Eulogeō can refer to speech from men to God, from men to men, and from God to men. When God blesses people, He grants them favor and confers happiness upon them. By the way, Jesus said, “Bless those who curse you …” (Luke 6:28); the same word, eulogeō, is used in this passage.

Favor is Linked to Relationship

Again, have you ever asked someone, “Could you do me a favor?” Usually, we request favors from close friends or those with whom we share a relationship.

No one expects much success when asking strangers for a favor. How many, though, come to a stranger called God and ask for “favor” in times of crisis? The level of favor you receive from people and from God is linked to the level of relationship you have.

Jesus Increased with Favor

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52 NKJV)

Luke’s narrative in chapter two describes Jesus growing as a child in wisdom and favor. Consider that Jesus is our model for Kingdom life on earth.

Favor is from the Greek cháris and means acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace. It’s a gift, it’s grace; it’s a benefit from God. Jesus obtained acceptance and grace from God and men.

Keep in mind that Jesus was without blemish and sin, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God. Yet He increased in favor—why?

The answer is that Jesus showed us how to walk with God, led by the Spirit, functioning from God’s Kingdom realm and impacting our world. Yes, he was God in human flesh, but he relied on the Father and Holy Spirit to complete his earthly mission.

Therefore, if Jesus needed favor, then we definitely do! Like Jesus, we should grow in favor with God and people. We have a role to play!

Would it be fair to view Jesus in His childhood as a believer growing in Christ? Yes! Jesus performed miracles as the Son of Man; therefore, it’s an invitation for us to live in dependence on the Holy Spirit, to walk and operate in God’s love and power.

Proverbs states, “A good man obtains favor from the Lord …” (Prov. 12:2 NKJV). The Hebrew for ‘obtains’ also means ‘to draw out’. Favor is also used interchangeably with grace in the OT.

We could say then that “A good man draws out grace from the Lord …” We draw out His grace when our ways please Him. Conversely, when we operate from our “flesh,” we may hinder God’s grace from flowing freely.

Peter illustrates this,

“Husbands, likewise, submit by living with your wife in ways that honor her, knowing that she is the weaker partner. Honor her all the more, as she is also a coheir of the gracious care of life. Do this so that your prayers won’t be hindered.” (1 Pet. 3:7 CEB)

Peter clearly states that prayer, or the flow of God’s favor and grace, can be blocked if we do not treat our wives with love and honor. In fact, the same applies to all of our relationships with others.

Notice in Luke 2:52 that Jesus grew in favor with God and men. Favor then comes in two forms—what is from men and what comes from God alone.

While we desire the favor of men, we must remember that this kind of favor can be fickle and unpredictable. Recall that in John 6, the people wanted to forcibly take Jesus and make Him King after the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. However, it was only a short time later, and the crowd was shouting “crucify him!”

God grants favor to those He can trust with His purposes!

The favor that comes from God reflects his nature and character and has a purpose. Here is a favorite verse of mine that describes this truth:

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2 Chr. 16:9 NKJV)

Did you catch this? A loyal heart draws out grace and favor from God!

God searched for a virgin to give birth to His Son and found Mary, whom He could trust with purpose. You see, purpose is your vehicle to destiny fulfilled!

When God grants favor, and we start to see success, we are often tested. Will we take the credit, or will we squander His favor and anointing on our own agendas? Do you remember Sampson?

Many can move the heart of man, but fewer move the heart of God. 

Why? Many lack authenticity, integrity, and loyalty to God and His purposes. God loves everyone, but His grace and favor grow stronger for those whose hearts are loyal to Him.

I’ll continue this important topic next week!