Proverbs 8:22-36
Saturday, 28 December 2024
“ For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD;.” Proverbs 8:35
God seeks those who love Him and love His commands so that He can bless, guide, and protect them. The Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23) This does not mean that everyone who is prosperous or healthy has found favor with God; nor does it mean that those whom the Lord favors will never undergo difficulties. Many people in the Bible had the Lord’s favor but also suffered hardships (Acts 14:22).
One way to obtain favor from the Lord is to seek divine wisdom. Proverbs 8: 35 says, "For those who find me [wisdom] find life and receive favor from the LORD.” The wisdom from the world often misleads but one who seeks wisdom from God and His Word will lead a judicious life. Psalm 5:12 says, "Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Finding favor with the Lord keeps our lives and thoughts pure because we desire to please Him more than we desire to please ourselves. Hebrews 11:25 speaks of Moses, "He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” The favor of God can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “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…” Being a loyal follower of the Lord brings its dividends. Those who are favored of God know that God is with them and that nothing can happen to them apart from His good purpose.
The Lord delights in us seeking His favor. When we seek His favor, we are expected to humble our hearts before Him not just for the blessings, but to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk/live uprightly (Ps.84:11). If we are not experiencing the fruit of the promises, it is because of our lack of knowledge and understanding about how to walk with the Lord.
We must understand that God is not limited in His favor. He does not rank us in the order of importance, nor is His favor something we must compete with one another to earn. Every child of God who comes to Him through faith in Jesus Christ has this favor of God. God’s favorites are His children, purchased through the blood of His Son (John 1:12). As we honor Jesus, God’s favor follows us. The reward of His favor is His promise that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). When we are God’s favorites, we know He is always with us and will reward us for everything done for Him. At His Second Coming we will receive our rewards. “Behold I am coming quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is” (Revelation 22:12).
Would you decide to receive the Lord’s favour by submitting your life to Him- to have His reign in your life?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for granting the greatest reward, the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ in my life. What a privilege to own this precious gift that has added meaning and value to my life. Help me to walk worthy to honor ‘the greatest gift’ of all. Amen
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