THE MYSTERY OF FAVOUR

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated – Romans 9:13

God is sovereign on the matters of mercy and favour: “For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (Rom.9:15-16). No one can order God to release the full range of His favour or manipulate Him into a corner so that He has no choice but to grant it. God’s favour cannot be earned, nor can it be received as a wage for work performed. On this side of eternity, the mystery of God’s favour – who receives it and who doesn’t – will forever remain with us. We can’t know the full reasons why He shows His favour to one person and not to another.

Although such mystery will always colour the favour of God, it can be sought after, discovered, experienced, and enjoyed. While complete understanding of favour will remain forever beyond our grasp, we can do much to find it and experience it. We can align ourselves with God’s purposes and desires by placing ourselves in a prime position to experience His favour. We can and should position ourselves to get in the best possible spot to attract His favourable attention.

Ultimately, it is God who gives His favour to those He chooses, for His own reasons and for His own purposes; through no merit or effort of theirs. God bestows His favour on those He chooses, when he chooses, and how He chooses. He doesn’t need our counsel or permission. He bestows or withholds His favour exactly as He wills. The favour of God is both a gracious gesture and a sovereign sign – a sign or token of God’s free choice. He “doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?” (Dan.4:35). God does what He wants to do, when and how He wants to (Isa.22:22; Rev.3:7; 4:8).

God’s favour does not depend on your credentials, age or spiritual background. He can pick and lift you, regardless of where you’ve been in life – bad, good, worthy or unworthy – and show you His favour. Your life can be a personal journey overflowing with divine favour.