Favor

​Seeking favor is something we all understand.  Those of us who work want to be well regarded by our boss or supervisor.  Those of us who are children want the approval of our parents.  Those of us with relationships want the support of our spouse, friends or peers. Everyone who cares desires favor. And the greatest favor we can obtain is from God.  The question is how do we gain it?  

What does God feel when He looks down on the world today?  What thoughts run through His all-knowing mind?  Is the condition of our world anything like what was described long ago in Genesis 6:5,6,8?  

When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart . . . Noah, however, found favor in the sight of the Lord.

Sinful people grieve God’s heart. Therefore, the way to find His approval must begin with personal examination—am I engaged in sin?  If I am, there is no way I will please Him. In Genesis 6:9 we learn that there were three qualities about Noah that set him apart from the people of his era. First, he was a moral man. Second, he was blameless among the people of his time.  His reputation was intact; there was no fault to be found in his character, attitude or conduct.  Third, he walked with God.  Essentially, he made a conscious decision to regularly communicate with Him, to follow His laws and do what pleased Him.  God was Noah’s best friend.   

The sons of Korah sang, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity” (Psalm 84:11).  Moses told God in Exodus 33:13, “Now if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor in Your sight. Now consider that this nation is Your people.”
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Like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day, is the affirming favor of our heavenly Father.  Like the cool refreshing taste of water in a parched desert is the love He gives to those who please Him.  Live to make Him proud; be like Noah and savor His favor.  
  
Inspiration
The only ground on which God can forgive sin and reinstate us in His favor is through the Cross of Christ, and in no other way.—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest
 
©2005 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)