Proverbs 8:33-36 NKJV
“Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”
INSIGHT
–Favor is a gift that comes from the Lord. It is closely related to grace and the two are mutually exclusive. Obedience to God’s word precipitates favor that catalyzes wisdom. The wisdom that God gives originates from actualizing His commands. On the flip-size; those who disobey God’s instruction, relish sin that leads to death. Romans 6:23 reveals that, “..the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God the father has released the gift of eternal life through His Beloved Son Jesus, that He who knew no sin, would be sin, and that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
PRAYER
Abba Father thank You for loving us that You considered us worthy to receive the gift of eternal life. Thank You for You did not spare Your own Son but delivered Him up for us all. We know and believe that nothing shall separate us from Your love Jesus. Father we are convinced that You shall also freely give us all things. We have faith that Father You are doing a new thing in our lives. We have faith that You are turning every adverse situation around. May You grant us wisdom to hear and to do Your will, that we may obtain favor that comes from You. May You establish us in Your favor that we may experience Your blessings in every area and sphere of our lives. By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established, may dear Lord Jesus release Your favor upon us and establish us in our businesses, jobs, marriages, relationships, associations, leadership, ministries, destinies, that we may flourish in a things. We declare that wisdom is our portion, and foolishness is far from us and our generations in Jesus name. We pray this believing and trusting in Jesus mighty name. Amen
Further reading: Romans 8:31-35, Proverbs 24:3
Esther 2:17 NKJV
“The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
INSIGHT
–When king Ahasuerus made a feast for all his officials and servants, the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces were in attendance. On the seventh day the king’s heart was merry with wine and he asked for queen Vashti to be brought before him but she refused to come and the king was very furious. The wise men of the kingdom recommended that queen Vashti should never come before the king and another one; better than her be brought before him. Queen Esther obtained favor and grace before the king, and she became queen over the kingdom of Persia, the provinces between Ethiopia and India replacing Vashti. The Lord elevated queen Esther into royalty given to admiration and acceptance before the king. God orchestrates the events for His sovereign purposes and Esther was divinely positioned for a future task saving her people. God grants us His favor and grace to take positions of leadership and power for His perfect will.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, we are Your workmanship, created in You for good works, which our Father prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. According to Jeremiah 1:5, Lord You knew us before we were formed in the womb and You sanctified us before we were born and ordained us to become prophets to the nations. You have made us kings and priests and we shall rule in the land. God You are able to make all grace abound to You, so that in all things, at all times, having all that we need, we will abound in every good work. We will not run ahead of You dear Lord but we shall wait on You. May You go ahead of us in every assignment, appointment and calling that You have designed for us. May You grant us Your grace and favor of leadership in this country and beyond that we may do the work that You have called us to do, for the glory and honor of Your name. Amen
Further reading: Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 9:8
Proverbs 18:22 NKJV
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”
INSIGHT
–The scripture says that, one who finds a wife, and not a good wife obtains favor from the Lord. Jesus says, “No one is good—except God alone” (Mark 10:18). The favor is not only a benefit to the husband alone but to his wife as well. The word good in Hebrew is (tov) which doesn’t mean perfect, but something desirable, beneficial, and valuable. She is then a helper suitable for her husband (Genesis 2:18). The gift of a spouse is a blessing from God given to grace. It’s not just about human compatibility, but about divine blessings. Proverbs 31:10 tells us that, “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” One who finds a virtuous wife experiences peace and prosperity in marriage. A godly wife brings support, companionship, strength, and joy to the family.
PRAYER
We thank You Jesus for You are Good and Your mercies endures forever. Lord You are Good and Your mercy is everlasting. Lord You are Good and Your truth endures to all generations. Lord You are Good and You do good, may You teach us Your statutes. May You remember us in a special way all those who are waiting on You for marriage partners that You may grant them grace of marriage. None shall lack her mate, for Your mouth has commanded it, and Your Spirit has gathered them. Your word Lord shall not go out of Your mouth and return empty, but accomplish but achieve the purpose for which You sent it and it shall deliver a testimony. Lord we shall go out with joy and be led out with peace for Your names sake. Amen
Further reading: Isaiah 34:16
Psalms 5:12 NKJV
“For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.”
INSIGHT
–These scriptures outline the value of God’s favor that is not just a temporary blessing, but a constant protection that surrounds us like a shield that stems from the fear of the Lord. The word surround is āṭar in Hebrew which means to be covered, protected, honored and crowned. Therefore, since the Lord has made us His righteousness through His salvation, He surrounds us and crowns us with His favor. As we set our hearts to live righteously, which is how we have been crafted, leaning into God’s will, we can rest, trusting that His favor will always be with us because we belong to Him.
PRAYER
How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts. Our souls long, yes, even faints for Your courts Lord. Our heart and flesh cry out for You our living God. As the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young at Your altars, O Lord of hosts, we desire to be in Your presence always our King and God. We desire more and more of You, may Your favor overflow upon us, our families, communities, and nation. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, we will still be praising You. Lord You are a sun and shield. Lord You bestow favor and honor; no good thing do You withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You. May You pour out restoration, pour out healing, pour out favor, pour out blessings upon us. May You supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 84:1-12
Luke 2:52 NKJV
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
INSIGHT
-Jesus, the Son of God, grew in favor with God and man as He lived a life of obedience and righteousness. Jesus resonated with His Father’s heart and the knowledge of Who He was as a Son, He was obedient and upholded righteousness. Favor was upon Him because He is the Son, Who knew His Father and Who knew Who He was. Out of that place He could manifest His Sonship loving as His Father loves. We are called to grow in the realization of God’s favor as we grow in knowing our Father and Who we are as sons and daughters, and we will love as He loves; obedience and righteous living will result in Jesus name.
SUMMARY
Favor in Hebrew is written as chen and charis in Greek which is commonly translated as grace, kindness, or goodwill. God blesses the righteous and surrounds him with His favor as with a shield (Psalms 5:12). Favor is acquired through obedience to God’s word, and watching daily at the gates of God, but those who sin against God wrongs his own soul and loves death (Proverbs 8:33-36). The favor of the Lord establishes the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17). We excel in business and our work through the favor of God. He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord (Proverbs 18:22). Married couples obtain God’s favor, not only the husband who finds a wife but both parties. Esther found favor before king Ahasuerus instead of all the other virgins, and she become queen of the kingdoms of Persia instead of Vashti (Esther 2:17). As queen Esther found favor before God and was tasked to save the Israelites from extermination by Haman, may we obtain God’s favor in our lives so that we may walk in divine destiny and leave a worthwhile legacy.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus You are the Light of our salvation and in Your light we see light. In Your salvation we find favor before You and before men. May we find favor, grace and wisdom before You Lord together with our families, communities, and nation. May all our children grow in favor before You Lord and before men, and in wisdom and stature. May You forgive us all our sins and iniquities and deliver us from every anxiety, fear, oppression, depression, limitation, barrenness, torment and addiction in Jesus name. May You break every barrier, limitation, barrenness, hinderance, delay, bar of iron, gate of bronze and every chain in Jesus name. May shall overcome by the word of our testimonies and by the blood of the Lamb. May You hear all our prayers, petitions and supplications and make a way for us even where there seems to be no way. May You give us the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that we may know that You are God, the God of Israel. May You our God of peace, sanctify us through and through body, soul and spirit and keep us blameless at Your coming dear Lord Jesus Christ. May You grant Your true salvation to us and all people dear merciful Savior. We surrender our lives to You, our families, marriages, businesses, future, ministries, legacy, influence, future unto You dear Jesus. Lord may You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Blessed Weekend
Further reading: Proverbs 8:35, Revelation 12:11