One of God`s Favourites
by Paul Griffin
Have you ever heard someone say, “God doesn’t have favourites”? What is generally meant by this is that God treats everyone fairly and judges everyone on an impartial and consistent basis. God wants the very best for each one of us, His creation, but to experience God’s full blessing in our lives there needs to be a response from us.
One could say that God doesn’t pick and choose who His favourites are, but personally invites all of us to be His favourites. Today’s verse from Psalm 5:12 tells us that we can all know God’s favour, ‘For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favour as with a shield.’
In one Bible commentary I read the following: ‘The word favour can be defined as “demonstrated delight.” The favour of God can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.” When we favour someone, we want to be with that person. We delight in them. We connect with them in a way we don’t connect with everyone. We usually favour people who also favour us.’
These comments include some quite challenging ideas. We all want to know and enjoy God’s favour in our life, but perhaps we need to ask ourselves, “Do I always delight in Him? Do I connect with God in a way that I don’t connect with anyone else?”
To know God’s favour as a shield of protection around us we need to be walking in righteousness. This is not just the imputed righteousness which we receive when we acknowledge that Jesus has died in our place and paid the penalty for our sins, but the righteousness which comes from responding to what Jesus has done for us at the cross and living a life which is pleasing to God. God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah says, ‘These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word’ (Isaiah 66:2).
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You want me to know Your favour in my life. Thank You that You want to surround me in the favour of Your protection. Help me Lord to stay in that place of protection by walking in humility and living my life in a way which is always pleasing to You. Amen.
Paul Griffin Paul spent 20 years working as a chemical engineer for an oil company in South Africa, the Middle East and Japan prior to going to Bible College. Paul and his wife Liz have been involved with Ellel since 1991 and are associate teachers as well as being authors of the books ‘Anger …How do you Handle it?’ and ‘Hope and Healing for the Abused.’
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