The Decisive Favour of God

UV 1397/10,000 The Decisive Favour of God

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

I Samuel 2 v 9

The Lord will keep the feet of believers from stumbling. He will deliver us from our own blunders and follies. He will preserve the lives of those who fear God. He will not cause us to suffer beyond what we can endure. He takes us from the dunghill, meaning when we had no prestige or position or resources or honour and places us with princes of His people, implying those who are esteemed, influential and resourceful in the eyes of the Lord. He will enlarge our territory. We will obtain divine guidance, provision and help. We are contented with what God has given us. We do not aspire for things that are too great or ambitious for us. This is what I call decisive favour or grace. But He will not hear the prayers or groaning of the deliberately malicious and wicked, those who chose to ignore Him. Such people delight in their own strength, power, wealth, wisdom, influence.

Knowing the Lord is the most strategic and valuable strength. The Lord Himself is our bulwark or source of strength. In the eyes of the world, we might not be people of great influence or strength. The world respects strength of any kind, be it physical, intellectual or financial. The talented, the charismatic and successful are adored. But this uni-verse says that these are of no avail. By virtue of strength, position, resources or wisdom and knowledge, no man can prevail. What prevails is the sovereign will of God. As long as we align our paths and our feet with the will of God, He will guarantee us victory and blessings of every kind. David knew the Lord personally from his days as a youth and a shepherd. As a result, Goliath’s strength which was much greater than David’s could not prevail. The favour of God was with David from the time he was chosen and anointed by Samuel on the leading of the Holy Spirit. The favour of God has a decisive impact on our lives, too. Jim Rohn said that “ change is inevitable but growth is intentional.” I would like to add that growth is God-intended.

Scripture says that let the rich man not boast of his riches, nor the strong man of his strength or the wise man in his wisdom but let him who would find strength in a personal relationship with the Lord, legitimately claim that He knows the Lord. When we know the Lord and His Word, He will surely but gradually bless us, increase us, enlarge our influence. Our passions are misdirected if it is spent in seeking riches, power, fame, success or pleasure. Our passion should be focussed on the locus of life- the Lord and giver of life. He exalts the horn of His anointed, implying that He lifts them up. The “ horn” stands for strength and power that is God-inspired. It is a cornucopia or a bouquet of different blessings as we have the favour of the Lord. Samuel grew in favour with God and men. Yet a child, God anointed him and called him by name. The Lord calls those who belong to Him by name and has a conversation and an ongoing relationship with us. He builds us up not by might or power but by His spirit. The sons of Eli relied on their own flesh and blood and its appetites. They did not know or fear God even though they were sons of the priest Eli. Our high or low birth or status in society does not ensure we have the favour of God. He is no respector of persons and He only sees our hearts, our inner attitudes towards Him.

Prateep V Philip