The Favour of Man

Devotional Reading: You bless righteous people, O Lord. Like a large shield, you surround them with your favor. Psalms 5:12 GW

When I pray for my folks, or my friends, I always pray that their portion is one where they are recipients of both the favor of God and the favor of men.

Jacob’s storyline as a father presents him as a sub-type of God. His love for Joseph is symbolic of God’s fatherly love toward us, His children. But also consider that it is symbolic of the favor of one man to another man. Ultimately, Jacob is truthfully a mere man who has favored his son Joseph, another man, with responsibility and a robe fit for kings.

In addition to the gifts that God favors you with, you may also find that you are favored by men. This is not a favor that you would have positioned yourself to attain, nor is this a favor that you would have sought or chased after. For reasons unknown to you, for simply being you, you will find yourself in places where men – humans – will favor you.

You may consistently find yourself in positions where people expose you to their high-value networks. Others may find themselves in positions where people are always willing to invest in their projects or assignments. You may have the ability to pick up and go to any country in the world because no matter where you find yourself there are people who will freely open up their homes to you. Your favor may be that you consistently find people who will place you in strategic or influential positions even though you do not hold the traditional status, qualifications, experiences, or background that would qualify you.

However favor manifests in your life, take time to recognize it. Acknowledge that both God’s favor and the favor of men are at work in your journey, positioning you for His greater purpose. Walk in gratitude, and steward the favor you receive with humility and wisdom.

Prayers and Confession
Father, I thank You that Your favor surrounds me like a shield. I walk in the blessing of both divine favor and the favor of men. I declare that I am clothed in Your grace and positioned for opportunities I did not earn. Doors open for me that no man can shut, and I am led into places of influence and provision by Your divine hand.

Further Reading: Genesis 37, Psalm 90:17