Favor -vs- Divine Favor

"One day of favor can be worth more than a lifetime of labor. And favor can restore in a day what was stolen over a lifetime."

"When the enemy plots your demise, your King is planning your reward!"

~Tommy Tenney

Favor itself can be a reward, approval, or goodwill gesture. Often meaning someone taking a liking to another-thus showing them favor. But the "divine" added to the word "favor" makes it a different category.

Divine favor is nothing like the temporary favor of man. Devine means "from God."

Do you seek God's favor, even when it appears as though he's placed you in a adverse situation?

Nehemiah was a devoted servant to the Lord. He was called by God to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem. As cupbearer to the king he ask the Lord to give him favor with the ruler, so he could complete his God given assignment. "Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." (Nehimiah 1:11 NIV)

Here we learn an important bible principal. That God will grant us favor with others when it will help us carry out His will and plan.

It's true that believer's who are really committed to God will sometimes experience criticism and persecution. Jesus said we can count on it. He wanted us to know what we were getting into when we made the decision to follow Him. If we are making a difference for God, we can't expect Satan to sit back and do nothing to try to hinder us. But the bible teaches us that we can pray for God's favor, which is a powerful weapon against the enemy's attacks. Psalms 89:17 says, "Our power is based on your favor." (NLT) And Psalms 9:12 says, "Surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; you surround them with Your favor as with a shield." (NLV)

Esther 5:2..."And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter."

I would like to point out that it says she "drew near." You see it's when we draw near to Him that things begin to change. We can not expect God's true divine favor if we are standing in the outer court if looking in. We must join Him in the inner courts with our praise and our adoration to Him.

Esther had entered the throne room uninvited and unless the king stretched out His royal scepter, (a sign of favor extended) it would mean death to one entering. So He either stretched out His divine favor of approval or He would shout His order of disapproval. For Esther, she had wait for the royal invitation - for us, the royal invitation awaits! We as God's children can come boldly to throne without an invitation. So glad to be a new testament christian. 

Why are we so slow at times to come into His throne room? Esther touched the tip of the royal scepter in exchange for the king's favor - have you touched the tip of the divine scepter?

We are all given the same opportunities. Even thou He grants favor, He does not show favoritism.

So enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; His scepter awaits you!

~Sister C