05152022 Expressions of God's Favor

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who loves us so much and treats us so well. Can you imagine if our God was like the false gods who are assigned traits of coldness, capriciousness, and even cruelty?

A third category of God’s blessing to His followers is something I will call expressions of God’s favor. These are generally not specific, concrete, identifiable, or tangible manifestations. Rather, they are broad terms that persist over time. These are things that God does with purpose toward His children because they are His and because His heart is favorable toward them.

God surrounds His children with this type of favor that manifests in various ways. “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12).

Probably the most frequently mentioned is God’s lovingkindness. Translated “mercy” in the KJV, this is a kind disposition that looks in pity, mercy, and favor upon someone. It is a constant companion to God’s people, and God expresses it abundantly. “He that trusteth in the LORD, mercy [lovingkindness] shall compass him about” (Psalm 32:10). (Also 5:7, 17:7, 86:5, 103:4.)

Another evidence of favor is God’s compassion. Translated “have pity” or “have mercy,” this is a tender and loving compassion for those who are struggling, hurting, or in need. “The LORD pitieth [has compassion on] them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13). (Also 103:4, 135:14.)

God’s favor is expressed by giving grace and glory. “The LORD will give grace and glory” (Psalm 84:11). His favor is expressed in being light and salvation. “The LORD is my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27:1). His favor is expressed by supplying strength and power. “The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people” (Psalm 68:35). (Also 28:8.) It is expressed by being a defense. “He is the saving strength of his anointed” (Psalm 28:8).

God’s favor is evidenced by His supplying the very fountain from which life springs forth and abounds. “For with thee is the fountain of life” (Psalm 36:9). This divine favor causes God to bring unworthy people near to Him. “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest to approach unto tee, that he may dwell in thy courts” (Psalm 65:4). The favor shows itself by God’s constantly surrounding His people so that they are ever in His care. “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever” (Psalm 125:2).

God’s favor is displayed through constant and marvelous displays of His infinite goodness, which is stored up for repeated bestowal on His children. “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee” (Psalm 31:19). This comes across as help for those who are the neediest (the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoners, the blind, those who are bowed down, the strangers, the fatherless, the widow). God helps each of these specifically according to their need (Psalm 146:7-9).

God meets these needs so thoroughly that there is no lack. His provision is sufficient. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:1-2).

Truly, “The LORD hath done great things for us” (Psalm 126:3). This abundant favor is not by accident or coincidence or merely by routine. No, God expresses it deliberately for His children. This is apparent when we consider God’s dealings with the wicked. Although everyone on the earth receives some of God’s bountiful provision, His disposition is not in favor toward the wicked. “The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth” (Psalm 34:16). “He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light” (Psalm 49:19).

We are undeserving of God’s favor, but how wonderful that He displays it to us day after day in ways that are far deeper than the individual details of practical life. God’s favor is expressed on a profound spiritual and foundational level that permeates all of life. May you be reassured and encouraged by the consideration of this great truth.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA