Walking in God's Favor: A Gift of Grace

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Decreeing God’s Word Establishes Your Life

What you declare over your life shapes your reality and establishes the foundation you stand on. When you consistently speak God’s promises—declaring that you are the head and not the tail, that you can do all things through Christ, and that today is your receiving day—you align your heart and mind with God’s truth. This daily practice of decreeing God’s Word is not just positive thinking; it is a spiritual principle that brings light to your path and invites God’s favor to surround you. What you decree is what you become established in, so choose to speak life, blessing, and faith over yourself and your family. [01:08]

Job 22:28 (ESV)
"You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways."

Reflection: What is one negative or limiting statement you often say about yourself or your circumstances? How can you replace it today with a declaration of God’s truth and favor?

Day 2: God’s Favor Is a Gift of Goodwill, Not Earned

God’s favor is not something you can buy or earn; it is a gift granted out of His goodwill and love for you. The most profound demonstration of this favor is Jesus willingly going to the cross on your behalf—not because you deserved it, but because God chose to show you mercy. Even while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you, proving that you are the object of His affection. Embrace the truth that God’s favor is rooted in His unconditional love, and let go of striving to earn what He freely gives. [05:41]

Romans 5:8 (ESV)
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you still feel you must earn God’s love or favor? How can you rest today in the truth that His favor is a gift, not a reward?

Day 3: Delighting in the Lord Aligns Your Desires with His Favor

When you delight yourself in the Lord—trusting, relying on, and being confident in Him—He promises to give you the desires of your heart. This is not about selfish wishes, but about your heart becoming aligned with God’s will as you seek Him earnestly. Like Hannah, who poured out her heart to God and received her request, your deepest petitions are known to God and granted out of His goodwill. As you pursue intimacy with Him, your desires become a reflection of His, and His favor is released in your life. [08:26]

Psalm 37:3-4 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally delight in the Lord today—through worship, prayer, or obedience—and invite Him to shape your desires?

Day 4: Walking Uprightly Invites God’s Shield of Favor

God surrounds the righteous with His favor as with a shield, promising that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Walking uprightly is not about perfection, but about living in obedience, faithfulness, and integrity before God. When you choose to honor God in your daily decisions, you position yourself to receive His blessings and protection. Even when you make mistakes, repentance restores you to the path of favor, just as Abraham’s faithfulness brought God’s blessing, and his missteps were met with God’s mercy. [21:33]

Psalm 84:11 (ESV)
"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."

Reflection: Is there an area where you need to realign your actions or attitudes to walk uprightly before God? What step of obedience can you take today to invite His shield of favor?

Day 5: God’s Favor Gives You an Advantage—Faith in Action

The favor of God is an advantage that sets you apart, giving you access to blessings, opportunities, and breakthroughs that others may not experience. This advantage is activated by faith—believing God’s promises, speaking to mountains, and trusting that what you ask in Jesus’ name will be done. Like Peter, who stepped out of the boat because he recognized Jesus’ voice, you are called to bold faith that moves you beyond obstacles. God’s favor is not just for your benefit, but so that His glory is revealed through your life. [43:03]

Mark 11:23 (ESV)
"Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him."

Reflection: What is one “mountain” or obstacle you are facing right now? How can you exercise bold faith today by speaking God’s promise over it and trusting in His favor?

Sermon Summary

Today, we explored the profound reality of God’s favor—what it is, how it works, and how we can walk in it daily. Favor is not something we earn or buy; it is a gift granted out of God’s goodwill, rooted in His love for us. Just as my mother would decree blessing over her time, what we declare with our mouths establishes the foundation of our lives. When we decree God’s promises, we align ourselves with His truth and open ourselves to His favor. The words we speak matter, and they set the course for our days and our destinies.

God’s favor is like a shield, surrounding the righteous and protecting them, not because of our merit, but because we are the object of His affection. The ultimate demonstration of this favor is Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross—He gave Himself for us while we were still sinners, not because we deserved it, but because of His great love. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, as Hannah did in her longing for a child, God grants the desires of our hearts, not as a transaction, but as a response to relationship and trust.

Favor is also a gift bestowed as a token of love and friendship. Just as a father entrusts his son with the keys to the truck because of relationship and trust, God bestows favor on those whose hearts are right before Him. We see this in the lives of Esther, Moses, and Joseph—each experienced God’s favor because of their relationship, faithfulness, and willingness to seek Him above all else.

Preferential treatment is another aspect of favor. When we walk uprightly, keeping God’s commands close to our hearts, He grants us favor with both God and man. Solomon’s request for wisdom, rather than riches or power, pleased God and resulted in blessings beyond what he even asked for. God’s favor is an advantage, a supernatural edge that allows us to overcome obstacles, walk in peace, and experience blessings that others may not understand.

Ultimately, God’s purpose in bestowing favor is to point people to Jesus, to bring life and life more abundantly, and to reveal that we are the beloved, the object of His affection. We are called to walk in this favor, to declare it, to steward it, and to use it to bring glory to God and love to those around us.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Decree and Declaration: What we consistently speak over our lives becomes the foundation we stand on. When we declare God’s promises—such as being the head and not the tail, or that today is our receiving day—we establish ourselves in faith and open the door for God’s favor to manifest. Our words are not just expressions; they are spiritual seeds that shape our reality. [01:08]
2. Favor Flows from Relationship, Not Performance: God’s favor is not earned by our works but is given out of His goodwill and love. Like a father who entrusts his child with a gift because of relationship, God bestows favor on those who walk closely with Him. The depth of our relationship with God determines the depth of favor we experience, as seen in the lives of Moses, Esther, and Joseph. [13:37]
3. Walking Uprightly Attracts Favor: Living according to God’s ways—keeping His commands, walking in integrity, and delighting in Him—positions us to receive favor with both God and people. Solomon’s request for wisdom, rather than selfish gain, pleased God and resulted in blessings beyond what he asked. God can trust us with more when our hearts are aligned with His purposes. [37:18]
4. Favor is a Divine Advantage: The favor of God gives us an edge in life, turning obstacles into opportunities and providing supernatural solutions. Knowing God’s voice and walking in faith allows us to access this advantage, just as Peter did when he stepped out of the boat at Jesus’ word. Favor is not just about material blessings, but about walking in peace, joy, and purpose, regardless of circumstances. [43:03]
5. Favor’s Ultimate Purpose is to Reveal Jesus: God’s favor is not just for our comfort or success, but to point others to Christ and to fulfill His redemptive plan. We are the object of His affection, made righteous and worthy through Jesus. As we walk in favor, we become living testimonies of God’s love, drawing others to the abundant life found in Him. [49:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:08] - The Power of Decreeing Blessing
[02:38] - What Are You Speaking Over Your Life?
[04:34] - Favor as a Shield: God’s Goodwill
[05:41] - Jesus: The Ultimate Demonstration of Favor
[08:26] - Delighting in the Lord and Receiving Desires
[09:52] - Hannah’s Story: Earnest Prayer and Favor
[11:47] - Favor and the Depth of Relationship
[13:37] - Tokens of Love: Favor in Family and Friendship
[16:12] - Esther and Moses: Favor Through Courage and Communion
[19:00] - Everyday Examples of God’s Favor
[21:33] - Walking Uprightly and Not Withholding Good
[24:08] - When We Step Out of Favor: The Ishmael Example
[27:26] - Reminders of God’s Favor: Tying Truth to Our Hearts
[32:29] - Faithfulness and Receiving Blessings
[34:46] - Solomon’s Request and God’s Response
[37:18] - Asking for What Pleases God
[41:17] - Favor as an Advantage: Overcoming Obstacles
[46:13] - Faith, Favor, and Restoration
[48:08] - Abundant Life: Favor and the Shield of Faith
[49:48] - The Purpose of Favor: Pointing to Jesus
[50:47] - You Are the Object of God’s Affection
[52:03] - Prayer and Declaration of Purpose
[54:35] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. Psalm 5:12 (ESV) — > For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

2. Romans 5:8 (ESV) — > But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

3. Proverbs 3:1-4 (ESV) — > My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
> for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
> Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
> So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 5:12, who does God surround with favor, and how is that favor described?
In Romans 5:8, what is the ultimate demonstration of God’s favor toward us?
What are the instructions given in Proverbs 3:1-4 for finding favor with God and people?
The sermon mentioned that what we declare with our mouths sets the foundation for our lives. What are some examples the pastor gave of daily declarations? [[01:08]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says favor is not earned but given out of God’s goodwill and love. How does this understanding change the way someone might approach God? [[05:41]]
Why do you think the depth of our relationship with God affects the depth of favor we experience, as seen in the lives of Moses, Esther, and Joseph? [[13:37]]
The pastor shared that walking uprightly and keeping God’s commands attracts favor. What does it look like in practical terms to “walk uprightly” today? [[21:33]]
The sermon described favor as a “divine advantage.” How does knowing God’s voice and stepping out in faith give believers an edge in life? [[43:03]]

Application Questions

The pastor talked about the power of decree and declaration—speaking God’s promises over your life. What is one promise from God’s Word you want to start declaring daily? How could this change your outlook or actions? [[01:08]]
Think about your relationship with God. Do you approach Him more like a distant authority or like a loving Father who wants to give you good gifts? What would it look like to deepen that relationship this week? [[13:37]]
The sermon gave examples of people (like Solomon) who asked God for things that pleased Him, not just for personal gain. When you pray, are your requests more about your needs or about God’s purposes? How might you shift your prayers to align more with God’s heart? [[37:18]]
The pastor shared a story about making decisions outside of God’s favor (the “Ishmael” truck). Can you think of a time you tried to make something happen in your own strength instead of waiting on God? What did you learn from that experience? [[24:08]]
Favor is described as a shield and an advantage, but also as something to be stewarded for God’s glory. How can you use the favor God has given you to point others to Jesus this week? [[49:48]]
The sermon said that favor is not just about material blessings, but about walking in peace, joy, and purpose. In what area of your life do you need to experience God’s favor beyond just “stuff”? [[48:08]]
The pastor encouraged the church to “delight in the Lord” like Hannah did. What is one way you can intentionally delight in God this week, even if you’re waiting for an answer to prayer? [[09:52]]

Sermon Clips

In other words, the favor of God is granted out of his goodwill towards us. It's not something that can be bought. It's not something that can be earned. It's the most profound demonstration that I can find of favor is Jesus willing, went to the cross on our behalf. Not because we deserved it. Not because we deserve to be saved. But because God chose to show us mercy. Because he loved us. [00:05:35] (30 seconds) #UnmeritedFavor

Last week, I asked you, what is the object of your affection? What is the object of your affection? You know what the object of Jesus' affection is? It's me. And I pray that you have the revelation, that you understand you are the object of his affection. When you become saved, when you ask Jesus, the Bible says you are the bride of Christ. [00:07:24] (28 seconds) #ObjectOfJesusAffection

There's an effectiveness out of asking, out of faith. Not wishful thinking, but out of confident, childlike faith. Confident, childlike faith. He says, come to me as children. You have to have that childlike faith. Can I? Childlike faith. Know that anything you ask in His name, He will do. Because I know He has this good will. I have a good will in Him. I have it regarding loving friendship. [00:26:46] (30 seconds) #ChildlikeFaithEffectiveness

Having an advantage means having something working for us that others do not have working for them. That's an advantage. For the believers, that something is the favor of God. The Bible says, and he works on your behalf. [00:42:12] (24 seconds) #FavorIsAdvantage

You just don't understand the obstacles that's in my life. I don't have to understand it. I have an advantage. I don't have obstacles. I have opportunities. What are you established on? What do you declare? What is that? It's an advantage. [00:43:03] (30 seconds) #ObstaclesToOpportunities

I have an advantage that I don't have to be bitter. I have an advantage that I don't have to walk in offense. I have an advantage that I know how to crucify my flesh. That's an advantage. The favor of God is an advantage. [00:44:30] (19 seconds) #FavorOverBitterness

``God's purpose for bestowing favor upon us is summed up, as I started with John 3 .16, and I'm going to close with John 3 .16. You say, why? God's purpose for bestowing favor is fairly simple. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that none should perish but have everlasting life. They don't have to have destruction. Be lost. But I like John 10 .10. Jesus says, I've come so you can have a life and a life more abundantly. When I don't know about you, but having an abundant life is a life of favor. It's a life of blessing. [00:47:37] (45 seconds) #PurposeOfDivineFavor

And getting a revelation how you really are the object of the affection of Jesus. You're the object and the affection of God. You really are. You are worthy. You are holy. You are made the righteousness of God. Old is gone. Made new. Therefore, there is no condemnation. Through Christ Jesus. We have all been given the measure of faith. [00:50:40] (32 seconds) #ObjectOfGodsAffection

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