This weekend's message deals with Genesis 39 and how Joseph found the favor of God. In preparation for the message, I did a word study on the word "favor." I wish I could share all this on Sunday. But I can't.
If you want the favor of God on your life, then here are some truths that you can use to fuel your prayers for yourself and for others.
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The benefits of finding God’s favor
1. The presence of God
For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”
Exodus 33:16 (ESV)
2. The help and comfort of God
Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
Psalm 86:17 (ESV)
3. The leaving of a lasting legacy
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalm 90:17 (ESV)
4. A good reputation
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1b (ESV)
5. The blessing of God
For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:12 (ESV)
6. The good things of God
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11 (ESV)
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Finding God’s favor
1. Seek to know God and follow the ways of God for your life
Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.
Exodus 33:13 (ESV)
2. Use words wisely
The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 (ESV)
3. Pray, turn from sin, and gain insight from His truth
All this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth.
Daniel 9:13 (ESV)
4. Make truly sacrificial offerings
When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 1:8-9 (ESV)
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There is one more thing I can add to these verses that deal with finding God's favor. But you'll just have to check out the message this weekend at CVC from Genesis 39 to find out!
If you want the favor of God on your life, then here are some truths that you can use to fuel your prayers for yourself and for others.
***
The benefits of finding God’s favor
1. The presence of God
For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”
Exodus 33:16 (ESV)
2. The help and comfort of God
Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
Psalm 86:17 (ESV)
3. The leaving of a lasting legacy
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalm 90:17 (ESV)
4. A good reputation
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1b (ESV)
5. The blessing of God
For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:12 (ESV)
6. The good things of God
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11 (ESV)
***
Finding God’s favor
1. Seek to know God and follow the ways of God for your life
Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.
Exodus 33:13 (ESV)
2. Use words wisely
The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 (ESV)
3. Pray, turn from sin, and gain insight from His truth
All this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth.
Daniel 9:13 (ESV)
4. Make truly sacrificial offerings
When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 1:8-9 (ESV)
***
There is one more thing I can add to these verses that deal with finding God's favor. But you'll just have to check out the message this weekend at CVC from Genesis 39 to find out!
Did Jesus really have that good of a reputation? After all, he was crucified. Do you mean good as in moral or good as in liked? Because I doubt true Christians are always liked: many were killed.
ReplyDeleteI see your point, Carnival. And I agree. "All those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." I take it from Proverbs that it is admirable to want a "good name" or a good reputation. I guess the question then becomes, "In whose eyes?" Certainly, we don't want a good reputation in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God and in the eyes of God's people.
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