God’s favor has nothing to do with His blessings. They are two very different things. When we finally understand what God’s favor is, we experience true comfort, and our trials become easier to bear.
There is profound confusion among many Christians about what it truly means to have God’s favor. For those influenced by the prosperity gospel, this favor is measured by the weight of material blessings. Receiving riches is seen as proof that we have God’s favor. For others, especially those raised with a strict religion, God’s favor is granted only to those who do not sin. As soon as there is a trial, it is a sign that we no longer have God’s favor. Yet, when we read God’s Word, we realize that His favor is not measured by our successes or our trials.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated as “favor” is “ratson.” In the New Testament, its equivalent is “euarestos.” This word means the attention a father gives his child, his protection. It is the joy a father feels in seeing his child grow. Blessings are the gifts given by the Father, but favor is his attention, his presence. A father can love his child, spend time with him, protect him, and guide him, without giving him gifts. In fact, a child should appreciate his father’s presence far more than his gifts.
How can we obtain God’s favor? Under the Old Covenant, we had to have exemplary conduct or regularly offer sacrifices to atone for our sins. But since the coming of Christ, since He was the ultimate sacrifice, we now have God’s favor from the day of our salvation. When we choose to change our lives, to give our hearts to Christ; when we become children of God, we obtain His favor. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV). And as long as we are His children, no matter what we do, we have His favor: that is, His presence and attention.
Why is it important to understand God’s favor? Because many Christians think that if they don’t receive blessings (such as marriage), it’s because they don’t have God’s favor. If they face trials, they believe it’s because they have sinned and God is angry with them. They do many good works, thinking they are gaining God’s favor, and when things go wrong, they become discouraged. “What have I done wrong?” “What more do I need to do?” These questions leave them confused, sad, and, of course, discourage them from drawing closer to God. What a victory for our enemy! Not only do we suffer, but we no longer dare approach God because we think He is angry or dissatisfied with us!
But no, God’s favor is His attention, His presence. It is a father’s desire to go to his child, even when the child has disobeyed his rules (Proverbs 3:11-12). It is having privileged access regardless of the circumstances. So, when we are in a season where our prayers are not answered, or we do not receive the blessings we hope for, we know that God is still present. He is accessible, He listens to us, He goes through trials with us, as He did with Daniel’s friends when they were thrown into the fiery furnace. Thanks to His favor upon us, we can count on His protection. He will never let a trial destroy us, just as He did when He set a limit to the devil when he attacked Job (Job 2:6).
Knowing that we possess this favor radically changes our daily lives. It brings us a peace that circumstances cannot shake. We no longer give to God with the expectation of receiving something in return; our devotion becomes unconditional. In times of trial, or when our prayers are not answered, we are not confused. We know that despite everything, we can count on our Heavenly Father, today and forever.