Apostle Paul in his writing to the Philippines In chapter four encouraged them to stand firm in the Lord, He begged two of the disciples to be of the same mind, requested help for the women who are labouring with him and their fellow laborers, advice’s them to rejoice always, to live a moderate life, to trust completely in God and so many other advice, and then in verse 19 he said “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
From this passage we can understand that believers needs are supplied according to God’s riches in glory. So what are these riches of glory. It is the endless spiritual provisions that is available to believers in Christ. These provisions that cannot be exhausted is displayed in diverse attributes. It is important for us to understand not just the attributes but how they work. They are diverse and we will try to look at them from now on. Please note that it is not only the ones that will be discussed in this write up that are all that is available. So due to God’s Infinite, inexhaustible power, there are diverse riches of His glory. In fact the fact that God is the I AM THAT I AM – whatsoever you want Him to be to you, He will manifest in your life.
This day let’s start with His Favor. According to the dictionary favor is a kind or helpful deed. An instant of voluntary assistance, a help, aid to treat with care. In the bible the Greek word translated as grace is often also translated as favor – Charis. Favor is kindness or goodwill depending on the context at which it is used. It denotes unearned spontaneous love and generosity. It is not earned or worked for.
Favor is supposed to be the birthright of a child of God. In the book of Esther chapter 2:15-17 “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti”.
Esther obtained favor. This did not come by asking or trying to please anyone. It is completely divinely bestowed on her. Yes you can ask for favor from man or you can outsource favor from other powers, but know that something will be expected in return and you cannot determine what you have to pay back with. However when God favors you it becomes another thing entirely. Everyone that sees Esther favor her. Only the blind can’t favor her because they cannot see her. What sort of anointing is that, everyone will just go over and above themselves to do things for you. Have you ever been among a group of people and somebody will just singled you out to help you without asking.
The bible says in Luke 2: 52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”. Have you ever wondered about the gifts brought to Jesus at His birth. Is Mary the only virgin in Jerusalem. The bible says in Luke 1:; 30- 31 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS”
Psalms 5: 12 says ” For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield”.
If I understand right, your standing with God will determine if He will be favorable to you or not. Ref, Psalms 106 verse 4.
In Proverbs 3: 3- 4, we see the introduction of another prerequisite for God’s favor – mercy and truth. Are you showing mercy on to other people. How are you using your power, your office etc. Is it to pull others down. In Proverbs 8, wisdom and understanding is talking and by verse 35 “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD”.
Beloved, take quality time to study the book of Proverbs, there are many life lessons and wisdom in it. As we all should know by now that a child of God that Is devoid of knowledge of the word of God is a defeated christian – 2Timothy 2: 15.
Proverbs 11: 27 says “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him,” Diligence means to perform with industrious concentration, hard work and focus. (Prov. 12: 2, Prov. 13 15).
We need also consider that there is time for everything. (Ecc 3: 1). You cannot be careless at anytime as a child Of God. Every minute counts, what do you do with your life. Yes the set time for your favor is now, but are you prepare. If there is a set time to favor Zion and Zion is not where he or she is supposed to be then you cannot blame anyone for not being favored. It is your right as a child of God to enjoy favor all through your life.
In Isaiah 26: 10 the bible says “Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD”
A wicked – one who is morally wrong, corrupt or deliberately harmful to others, a person that commits evil consciously and willingly. God cannot extend His favor to such.
When God favors you, men will also favor you, structures and systems will also favor you
If you are disobedience to God’s directive, if you will not lay it in your heart to give Him glory, instead of His favor you will attract His curse.
A word of caution, you cannot afford to hate or envy a man who God has decided to favor, you will be digging your own grave – ask
Haman , – Numbers 23: 8. When God favors a man, everything will conform to him, so instead of hatting the man why not direct your energy to seeking God’s favor for yourself. A man of favor has doors opening on to him of their own accord. He does not struggle, all his effort is directed to pleasing God and being obedient to Him. It does not matter the harsh economy or inflation, he shall continue to flourish like the palm tree planted by the river side. Isaac sowed in famine – when there was extreme shortage of food which we know is mostly caused by shortage of rainfall or severe weather yet he reaped a 100 fold return on investment. Have you not wondered to what happened to other farmers in the land. Did rain fell on his own parcel of land alone. Isaac was obedient to God’s command not to run to Egypt because of famine. Indeed the word of God in 2 Kings 3:17 “For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts”. will forever be true for the one who enjoys God favor. Where you are now is it God that told you to go there. There will always be resources if He asked you to go there. No matter the situations He will always come through for you. If He can instruct a bird to take food to Prophet Elijah twice daily, then He has got you covered my friend.
SHALOM