Finding Favor

We look around us and see a world filled with violence and corruption.  We question the morality and integrity of our leaders.  We sometimes wonder how much worse could things really get.  Then we are left to look in the mirror - to question our own beliefs and values.  We are left to decide if we are going to let the world influence us, or if we will try to become an influence on our world.

Noah walked in days of great strife and destruction.  All around him people were making immoral choices, living only for self and self-gratification.  With no regards to consequences or caring about anyone else, they went on living without a care in the world.  Yet despite the grand illusions of contentment and happiness of those around him, Noah chose to live his life for the Lord.  Yes, he stilled sinned.  Scripture is very clear that Jesus was the only perfect man to ever walk the face of the earth.  Yet above all Noah chose righteousness.  You can rest assured he was given ample opportunity to turn away from God and blaze his own path.  Life could not have been easy for him. Social pressures were great, and his flesh was weak.  Yet he still chose truth.  It was because of his choices that “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”  God chose to spare not only his life, but also the lives of his family.  Because of his obedience, Noah would become a history maker.  Although fame was probably not his motivator, it certainly became his legacy. 

"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD...Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God."  Genesis 6:8-9

Scripture records many other people who found favor as well.  Joseph found favor in the sight of Potiphar.  Moses found favor in the sight of the Lord.  Ruth found favor in the sight of Boaz.  David found favor in the sight of his father Jesse, his friend Jonathan, and in Achish, son of Maoch, the king of Gath.  Esther found favor in the sight of Hegai, the king’s eunuch.  These are just some of the recordings Scriptures shows us of people finding favor with someone else.

So what about you?  What will you do to find favor with God Almighty?  He does not ask that much of us, really.  When asked by one of the scribes what commandment is the foremost of all, Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30).  It is my goal to live this commandment out daily.  I cannot wait until the day I see Him face to face and to hear Him say to me, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

I want to encourage you to choose today to walk in God's favor.  Choose to follow Him daily, letting Him guide all of your decisions.  He never promised we'd only see sunshine, but He did promise to never leave us.  Choose to be an influence to those around you, encouraging others to always lean on God as opposed to their own understanding.  There are a lot of things God simply does not want us to know this side of Heaven.  Although that is often hard for us to comprehend, trust that He really does know what He is doing.  After all, if it wasn't for Him, we would not even exist to ask such questions!!

Father, please teach me to walk in Your ways.  Help me Father to learn to lean more on You and less on myself.  Forgive me Father when I put myself in Your shoes, trying to walk out my life.  It is truly during those times that I stumble and fall, learning once again that this sinner is only saved by Your grace.  Father, please pour out your favor upon my life so abundantly that when others look at me they only see You.  Thank you for loving me, Lord, and thank you for Your many blessings.  Amen.