What Is Favour

What is favour? A sermon on the goodness of God. Passage text: Ps 5:12

Introduction

Favour, as we can see from the above scripture (Ps. 5:12), is a right of the righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Through the blood of Jesus, we have been made right with God – the barrier that separated us from God has been removed, and we have obtained right standing with Him.

What is Favour?

According to the Webster Dictionary, favour means:

• Friendly or kind regard
• Goodwill
• Approval
• Likely unfair partiality or favouritism
• To help, assist, or do kindness for someone

So, to be favoured means to be treated with favour, provided with advantages, and especially privileged.

Just think about it: God wants to give you special privileges. The favour of God will cause people to go out of their way to bless you without even knowing why they are doing it. And the more you are blessed, the more you will be a blessing.

Things Favour Can Do for You

1. It Will Take Away Limitations from Your Life

Consider the story of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4, 2 Samuel 9:1):

• His grandfather was a king.
• His father was a prince.
• During the routing of his family from reigning, he was rushed out of town by his nurse, and fell in the process, making him lame.
• He lived in Lodebar (“empty”) in the house of Machir (“sell out”), and his name, Mephibosheth, meant “bringer of shame.”

Most of his life, he lived in a shack, in shame, and afraid of being discovered by his enemies. But one day, (2 Samuel 9:1) David brought him to sit at the table where many thought he would never be.

So, Mephibosheth, who considered himself worse than a dog, now found himself among princes. This can only happen by favour. Psalm 23:5 says, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.”

2. Favour Will Restore in a Day What the Enemy Has Stolen in a Lifetime

The Story of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9)

• At the time of his birth, things had turned sour for his family.
• Though royalty, they were broke, frustrated, and disgusted.
• His mother named him Jabez (“son of sorrow”) because of her pain.

All his life, he bore the name, which was the prophecy of a careless mother. But one day, he decided enough was enough. The scripture was fulfilled: Psalm 30:5 says, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Verse 10 adds, “…and God granted his request.”

The Children of Israel in Egypt

Exodus 3:21 says, “And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, and it shall come to pass, that when ye go, ye shall not go empty.”

3. Favour Will Build Around You an Impenetrable Shield of Protection

David:

• He had a humble beginning as a shepherd boy.
• He fought bears and lions in obscurity and was favoured with God’s protection.
• He faced Goliath, an 11-foot giant.
• His boss turned against him and tried to destroy him.

In his psalms, David uses words like fortress, strong tower, and shield to demonstrate the power of God's protection. 

When this favour is in operation in your life, you become someone the enemy cannot easily destroy. Psalm 91:16 says, “With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Daniel

Daniel 6:16, 22 shows how God’s favour protected Daniel in the lion’s den.

4. It is Your Ladder for Divine Lifting

Joseph

• The odds were against him.
• He was hated by his brothers.
• He was sold to his cousin, who in turn, sold him to his enemies.
• He was thrown into the most civilized society of his time as an ordinary shepherd boy.

However, favour knows no boundaries or limitations if we give God a chance. Genesis 39:21 says, “The Lord was with him; showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden.”

This same favour showed up before Pharaoh. Genesis 41:38-40 says, “And Pharaoh said unto his servants, “Can we find such a one as this is? … Only in the throne will I be greater than thou.”

Favour is like a thermostat; it takes charge of the atmosphere and turns it around for the benefit of the man upon whom it rests. 

When favour is upon your life, irrespective of your immediate circumstances, you will be greatly blessed and highly favoured.

The Three Hebrew Children

Daniel 3:30 says, “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.”

The fire that destroyed their enemies only refined them for their new level and position. When opposition rises against us, and we turn to God, favour will speak and lift us up.

Those who oppose you do not realize that, like Jesus, we too will experience the scripture that says, “Had they known it, they would not have crucified the King of Glory.”

How to Activate Favour in Your Life

Sow Favour

• Help someone else and show favour to them.
• What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.
• A seed planted leaves your hand but not your life. It works in the spirit realm, bringing you a harvest in that same area.

Confess the Word

• Numbers 6:25: “The Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee.”

Prayers

• Make sure you are prayerful

Ways We Can Lose Favour

1. Not keeping your word.
2. Having a negative attitude.
3. Failing to follow through with commitments.
4. Always insisting on your rights.

Conclusion Of What Is Favour?

Favour is God’s intentional kindness and undeserved grace extended toward us. It’s when doors open that you didn’t knock on, when people bless you without knowing why, and when your little becomes more than enough.

Favour isn’t earned—it’s granted by a loving God who delights in showing mercy. Just like the widow experienced in 2 Kings 4, favour turns what’s not enough into abundance and transforms ordinary moments into divine encounters. When God’s favour is on your life, limitations become a stepping stone towards miracles.