Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory (Psalms 102:13-15).
We understand from scriptures that favour is the mother of all fortune, financial fortune inclusive. For instance, after 430 years of servitude, poverty, lack and want, God transferred the wealth of Egypt to the Israelites by divine favour. As it is written: And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians (Exodus 12:36; see also Exodus 3:21).
It is important to understand that nothing makes a high flyer in the Kingdom like favour. For instance, it was favour that distinguished Joseph in Potiphar’s house and Potiphar made him lord over all that he had. It was that same favour that made Joseph an official in the prison where he was an inmate. Furthermore, it was favour that promoted him to the palace. Daniel also found favour with the chief eunuch and that opened up his destiny. Furthermore, David also found favour in the sight of the Lord. He said: Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong… (Psalms 30:7; see also Genesis 39:5, 21; Daniel 1:9).
That is how powerful favour is, as it will launch anyone into realms of financial dominion, among others.
But, what is in divine favour?
- Divine favour promotes: Divine favour engenders supernatural promotion. This was exemplified in the life of Joseph, as he experienced multiple change of levels until he got to the palace. Favour is a promoter and it changes people’s level supernaturally(Genesis 39:5, 21).
- It triggers breakthroughs: Concerning Israel, the Bible says: For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them (Psalms 44:3; see also Isaiah 54:1-4).
- It releases miracle marriage: It is written: Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord (Proverbs 18:22).
- It releases miracle babies: It was said of Mary: “Thou art highly favoured among women” and by that, the laws of nature were suspended and she brought forth the miracle child, Jesus (Luke 1:26-32).
- It releases miracle jobs (Matthew 20:1-6).
- Favour saves (Ephesians 1:3, 2:5).
- It defends (Job 1:8-9; Zechariah 2:8).
- It makes great (1 Corinthians 15:10).
However, salvation is a fundamental requirement for walking in divine favour. This is because anyone who is not born again is considered spiritually dead and dead men do not require favour. Therefore, until a man is born again, he is not a candidate for favour. It is written:
For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield(Psalms 5:12).
At redemption, we became the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and divine favour only pertains to the redeemed. Thus, the above scripture can be read as: The Lord shall compass the redeemed about with favour as with a shield (see also 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Erroneously, the Church of Christ has interpreted grace to be unmerited favour and that is why many people never experience favour. It is important to know that ‘grace’ simply means divine favour and only the grace (favour) of salvation is unmerited. This is because sin is inherent in the human nature and the sinless Saviour (Jesus) delivered us from it by His Blood. As it is written: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8; see also Titus 2:11).
Therefore, the favour of salvation is the only free favour that we have from God. Every other form of favour we require, will only be released on the basis of meeting the conditions for them. For instance, all dimensions of life-transforming and level-changing favour will require the following channels:
Addiction to Kingdom promotion: We discover from scriptures that serving God’s interests on the earth is our launching pad into a world of unlimited favour. It is written: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures (Job 36:11 see also Exodus 23:25-26; 1 Chronicles 29:3-6; Psalms 102:13-15).
That means as we serve the interest of God’s Kingdom on the earth and engage in Kingdom advancement endeavours, we commit God to lavish us with continuous favour in return.
We must note that all-round favour is only accessible through love-motivated, love-inspired and delightsome service. This is because the more our investment towards Kingdom advancement, the larger our financial coast.
Proven love for God: We must recognize that though redemption qualifies us to walk in favour, it is the love of God at work in us that launches us into its reality. When we are truly in love with God, we manifest divinity which is the realm of unquestionable dominion. It is written:
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16).
When our love for God is perfected, we become divinity personified and we are filled with all the fullness of God. This makes us an embodiment of favour. That is why every man in love with God is a candidate for His favour. As it is written: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Solomon’s love for God launched him into the realm of heaven’s order of financial fortune. That is, it was his love for God that qualified him for favour; it was not demanded (1 Kings 3:3-4, 12-13).