How to attract God's favor

In this world, we have to work very long hours and get the minimum salary. I think one of the things we want is to have God’s favor. 

If we have His favor in everything we do, at work, at home, and in the church, we can experience more of His goodness beyond what we expect. 

But why do we need to attract God’s favor, and how can we attract it?

Not everyone can experience God’s favor because it is beyond what He could give. It is for people who please Him that made them attract His favor.

What is God’s favor?

The term “favor” is best described as “demonstrated delight.”  God’s favor is tangible proof that a person has the approval of the Lord. 

My pastor explained in his Sunday preaching that favor is an act of God’s kindness beyond what is usual. He said that favor is God’s approval and acceptance. In Genesis 4:3-7, God favored Abel’s offering over Cain. 

Abel chose to bring the fat portions from some of the firstborns of his flock; that is why God was pleased. He looked at him with favor. In contrast, Cain offered some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to God. 

The Lord was not pleased with Cain and his offering.

In addition, God’s favor is about His divine intervention. Daniel 1:9 says God had made the official show favor and compassion to Daniel. He is a prayerful man who stands firm in his faith in God regardless of the king’s rule.

We can see that to have God’s favor, we need to do something to please God so He can look at us favorably, just like Abel and Daniel.

Ways to attract God’s favor

Our church pastor explained why we need to attract God’s favor. He said that we are limited. No matter how much time you spend working or how many part-time jobs you have, it would not be enough for your needs. 

However, if we could attract God’s favor, He would give us more than we asked for and more than we need.

If money is the currency here on earth, favor is the currency of God’s Kingdom. It means your richness here on earth is nothing compared to God’s favor. 

Money though essential, still has limitations. But God’s favor is beyond what money could give. It gives you undefined peace, joy, and satisfaction.

Just like Abel and Daniel, we can attract God’s favor. We just need to know how. 

Here are some ways to please God and look at you with favor.

Love God with all of you

God is pleased with those who love Him wholly and sincerely. Deuteronomy 6:5 says you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. In the following verses, God asked Israelites to impress their love for Him on their children and talk about it at home and along the road.

To love God is to live out His words at home and wherever we are. Our children should see that love so they may also love the Lord. 

Loving God means we honor Him by obeying His commands. God is not demanding to please, just like an ordinary father. He appreciates His children when they keep and follow Him.

Deuteronomy 6:10-11 reveals how God would give you favor when you do as God says. He told the Israelites that when they honored Him, He would bring them into the land he promised to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The land would have significant, flourishing cities that they did not build. God would fill their houses with all kinds of good things they did not work for. They will have wells that they did not dig. 

Moreover, the Israelites that honor the Lord would have vineyards and olive groves that they did not plant. They will be satisfied with what they eat.

God’s favor is something that you did not work for; it is God’s powerful way of showing that He is pleased because you chose to love Him entirely, just by loving Him with all of you. 

His favor is something beyond what your eyes can see, ears can hear, and mind can imagine. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Serve God

Joshua in the Bible is one of those servants of God that found favor in Him. He did not just serve God alone but also led his family in serving the Lord. Joshua 14:13 says that because Joshua followed the God of Israel with all his heart, God gave him a favor.

In the Bible, they narrated that Joshua started as an enslaved person under the cruel Egyptians. Still, because of his faithful obedience to God, he became one of the most outstanding leaders of Israel.

As a successor of Moses, he led the Israelites into the Promise Land of Canaan. 

Was it easy for Joshua to serve God and lead His people? No. But God knows his sacrifices, and He is pleased to give favor to those who work for His Kingdom. The Lord told Joshua that He would be with Him all the days of his life. 

Joshua 1:5 says that God would not allow anyone to stand against Joshua, and just like with Moses, God will never leave or forsake him.

Serve the Lord like Joshua, and God will be with you at work, home, and wherever possible. No one could stand against you because, as His servant, God sees you with favor.

Always give your best to God

God will look at you with favor when He knows you are giving your best in everything you do and say. Giving our best is about not complaining when we serve him or even when we give time to Him.

When you go to church, wear your best suit and dress because you are meeting with the King. No one goes to the White House wearing our home clothes. We make an effort to look our best to impress the King.

When you give your tithes and offering, we do not give what is left and crumpled. We should give our best. 

Abel, in Genesis 4:3-7, gave the fat portions from some of the firstborns of his flocks. He chose to give his best to God. In contrast, Cain presented some of the fruits of the soil. Both of them give to the Lord. 

When God was not pleased with Cain’s offering, he got mad. Just like in the workplace, we did our job without exceeding effort and complained when our boss was not satisfied.  The same is true with our service to God. We serve Him and give our tithes offering without giving our best. 

Then we complain if God is not happy with our work.

God is only pleased with those who give their best for Him.