WISDOM FROM GOD – “FAVOUR IN THE SIGHT OF GOD AND MAN”

The Bible tells us clearly and unambiguously that, be it an individual, family, group, society or a nation, we all need God. With the hand of God upon our lives and upon all that would ever do, it would be futile and will certainly fail. The tower of Babel is a very fine example of how human intellect fails, and fails miserably. In fact, the Bible tells us that we all need the favour of God above all else, and also the favour of man, if we wish to want Peace, Progress and Prosperity.

As we continue our series “WISDOM FROM GOD” let us meditate this morning on Proverbs 3:4 and see what can we learn.
– “3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favour and high esteem In the sight of God and man.” – Proverbs 3:3-4

Verse three is the action point for us, and verse four is the result part of our action. When we do not forsake, but passionately and determinedly uphold in our lives, the godly and biblical standards of MERCY and TRUTH, which are the very character traits or virtues of God our Creator, then we will reap the result of “… favour and high esteem In the sight of God and man.”
– “Obedience to the Father positions us to receive His favour, and the character He forms within us wins esteem from others, opening doors for His glory to be displayed through our lives.” – Berean Study Bible Notes

All who were godly and obedient in faithfully following the instructions of the LORD God of the Bible, lived a different kind of life. The hand of God was upon them and upon all what they did.
– “52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” – Luke 2:52
– “26 And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men.” – 1 Samuel 2:26

When we live by the principles that are laid down in the Bible, and walk upon them with integrity, God’s favour will rest upon us. When the favour of God is upon us, then everyone and everything will be favourable towards us, despite the struggles and storms in and around us. Here under are three examples of those who stood resolutely and uncompromisingly for God and His principles. Their lives are a testimony to Proverbs 3:3-4.

1- JOSEPH – A SLAVE IN EGYPT, BETRAYED BY HIS OWN BROTHERS
– “2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field.” – Genesis 39:2-5

2- ESTHER – A WAR RAVAGED CAPTIVE SLAVE IN BABYLON
– “15 Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her. 16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the generosity of a king.” – Esther 2:15-18

3- DANIEL – A WAR RAVAGED PRINCE, NOW A CAPTIVE SLAVE IN BABYLON
– “8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” – Daniel 1:8-9

How about us this morning? Have we understood the lesson which the LORD is teaching us this morning through Proverbs 3:3-4? Are we willing to an uncompromising stand for God by holding on to the godly virtues of MERCY and TRUTH in all aspects of our lives? Are we wanting to achieve, Peace, Progress and Prosperity without God in our lives? Let us pause and ponder. For a life without God is much worse than being worthless. Life upholding godly virtues and principles, even if we have to endure struggle, storms, pain and even shame, is worth it. The lives of Joseph, Esther and Daniel tell us this in unequivocal terms. May we always seek to live by God’s standards and not the standards of this world. Even so, the LORD help us.