Text: Psalm 90:17
As a form of introduction, I’ll like to remind us that God loves us – Jeremiah 31:3. In this love, we have found favour. We have been favoured that’s why God sent Christ to die for us While we were yet sinners. That’s why he daily loads us with benefits. He’s blessed us with spiritual gifts in heavenly places. He guides us, he protects us, he provides for us, delivers us and most importantly we have the gift of salvation. Psalm 30:5
What is a favour?
- Approval, support, liking for someone or something
- An act of kindness beyond what is due or usual
- A feel or show of preference
- To give someone something desired
- Demonstrated delight
The favour of God can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.”
What must we do to fully experience Gods favour?
You must be right with God to get the most of him. Psalm 5:12, 84:11. Fear God. Isaiah 66:2. “These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”
We must serve God. Exodus 23:25-26. He’s a covenant keeping God. If you do your part, he’ll do his part. God wants to be Lord over our lives. What does it mean to serve? To render obedience or homage to. To be useful. To answer the requirements of. To perform duties. God says he’ll bless us if we serve him. If you serve and submit and do well, you get blessed. If you don’t, you’ll probably not enjoy this favour as much.
God wants to be the love of our lives. God looks for those who love Him and love His commands so that He can favour them. 2 Chronicles 16:9. God wants our attention. He wants us to be loyal. He wants to be our closest friend. The Bible says husbands love your wives and wives submit to your husbands. Same way, Christ is the husband, the bridegroom and we are his brides. The same roles apply; for us to be loved by Christ and for us to submit, to serve. With that attitude, we maximise the favour of God for us.
God’s love for each and every one of us is independent. He loves me so much doesn’t mean he can’t love you as much. My love relationship with God doesn’t affect your love relationship with God. This is the same as the way we experience God’s favour. That I’m favoured of God doesn’t hinder you from being favoured of God. We can all be as favoured of God.
But don’t be deceived, some people experience God’s favour more than others. Some people are his favourites. Why? Probably because they are more loyal, they are intentional about their relationship with him. They care about him. His feelings. They don’t do things to hurt him. They live with the consciousness of him.
And applying that to our normal relationships here, it’s valid. With friends, family members and even spouses. You tend to favour those who treat you right more than others. When we favour someone, we delight in them. We connect with them in a way we don’t connect with everyone. In the same way, God shows favour to the ones who delight in him, connect with him and give honour to Him.
Don’t doubt God. You can always trust him with what he says. 1 Thessalonians 5:24. God doesn’t change. It’s we the objects that change. Numbers 23:19. You are favoured of God. He’s waiting for you to receive the gifts he has for you. He’s waiting for you to trust him. You just need to activate your faith and walk in that realm. He’s ready.
Do you want to know the truth? You are favoured of God. But at times, the reality is not always true. And that’s what most people experience. We are not contending the fact that we’re favoured. We only just desire to have tangible, personal evidence of this truth. It should be our prayer that the truth, God’s word, his promises, become reality in our lives. Let’s remind ourselves of a few more truths. Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11. Psalm 102:13, Isaiah 51:3, Isaiah 58:11.
You’re not sure where you stand? Your reality is different from the truth? At times this is due to sin and distance away from God. All you need to do is come back to him with a humble heart. So, you can continue to enjoy this favour.
Lastly. Now that we’ve reminded ourselves of God’s love for us and that we are favoured. What should this awareness do? It should bring us comfort. It should boost our confidence. Comfort is a state of ease. Confidence is a state of reliance. Rest assured that God is with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He’s able to do exceeding abundantly above what we can ask or think. He has good plans for us and everything works together for our good. We are confident that our labour of love is not in vain and we would be duly rewarded. Relax, he’s intentional about you. He cares. Get comfortable in him! Let’s begin to see and appreciate the little blessings and favours that we enjoy; be grateful. It will only get better. Because greater is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof and the path of the just shines brighter until the perfect day! Get excited!
We can be certain of God’s love for us, no matter how unexpected or difficult any trial might be. Trials can easily tempt us to be discouraged and doubt Gods love. Trials should be seen as part of life. They may catch you off guard at first, but we can confidently deal with them, knowing that Gods loving care for us never fails.
The sermon was delivered on May 19, 2019, at the Special Youth Service.