HUMAN FAVOUR VS DIVINE FAVOUR

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in FAVOUR with God and man – Luke 2: 52

Everybody desires favour. Everybody enjoys being favoured. Everybody wants favour added to their lives. This should not be strange or surprising. God actually designed life to be enjoyed, not endured. God created all things and brought them to Adam to enjoy. Eden was a garden filled with favour. It was a place of abundance, bliss and unique blessings. It was sin that brought Man into disfavour with God; but redemption has restored the potential for divine favour. 1 Timothy 6:17 exhorts that we trust “in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

We must however distinguish between two kinds of favour: human favour and divine or ‘holy’ favour. The Bible relates both kinds of favour in 1 Samuel 2: 26 and Luke 2:52. These refer respectively to how Samuel and Jesus grew and were “in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.” This implies that when one receives divine favour, human favour will often follow. Since, that which is from above is above all, divine favour is above and superior to human favour (Jh.3:31).

As expected, human favour is sometimes selfish and usually reciprocal: “you favour me and then I will favour you.” It reflects the imperfect qualities of human beings. Divine or holy favour on the other hand, is quite distinct and unconditional. Holy favour reflects the character and virtues of God – His Love, Mercy and Grace. Divine favour is unconditional, unlimited and purpose-driven. Divine favour – though a sovereign gift – always has a purpose in God’s heart to accomplish.