The concept of obtaining the favor of God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the relationship between God and His people. The favor of God is often associated with His grace, blessings, and approval, and is sought by the saints through faith, obedience, and devotion.

Biblical Foundations

The favor of God is first seen in the Old Testament, where individuals such as Noah, Abraham, and Moses are described as finding favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8 states, "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." This favor is often linked to righteousness and obedience to God's commands.

In the New Testament, the favor of God is extended through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's grace and truth. Luke 2:52 notes, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." The life and teachings of Jesus provide a model for obtaining God's favor through faith and adherence to His will.

Means of Obtaining God's Favor

1. Faith and Righteousness: Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the importance of faith in pleasing God: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Righteous living, as exemplified by the saints, is a key aspect of obtaining God's favor.

2. Obedience to God's Commands: Obedience is a critical component in receiving God's favor. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 promises blessings for obedience: "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God."

3. Prayer and Humility: The saints often seek God's favor through prayer and humility. 2 Chronicles 7:14 highlights this approach: "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land."

4. Seeking Wisdom: Proverbs 8:35 associates wisdom with obtaining favor: "For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD." The pursuit of wisdom, as a reflection of God's character, is a means by which the saints can align themselves with His will.

5. Living a Life of Love and Service: The New Testament encourages believers to live lives characterized by love and service, which are pleasing to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 instructs, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God."

Examples of Saints Obtaining God's Favor

· Mary, the Mother of Jesus: Mary is described as having found favor with God in Luke 1:30: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." Her humble acceptance of God's will exemplifies the attitude that attracts divine favor.

· David: Despite his imperfections, David is often seen as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). His psalms reflect a deep desire for God's presence and favor, as seen in Psalm 30:5: "For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime."

· Daniel: Daniel's unwavering faith and commitment to God, even in the face of adversity, resulted in him finding favor with both God and man (Daniel 1:9).

The favor of God, therefore, is not arbitrary but is closely linked to the faith, obedience, and character of the saints. Through their lives, they demonstrate that obtaining God's favor is both a divine gift and a response to a life lived in accordance with His will.Proverbs 12:2
A good man obtains favor of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

In Regard to the Saints who Having Died in the Body Live in Christ ...
... In regard to the saints who having died in the body ... way, or that their prayers are
accepted by God in any ... To procure the favour of God, human merits are ever ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 21 in regard to.htm

Sometimes, However, the Saints in Supplicating God, Seem to Appeal ...
... Sometimes, however, the saints in supplicating God, seem to appeal to ... to be among
the servants and children to whom God engages that he will show favour. ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 10 sometimes however the.htm

The Whole of that in which we Appear Before God, Justifies Us. But ...
... that, how highly soever any one of the saints may be ... performed, yet he will not obtain
from God, the judge ... a sentence of absolution in his favour, and unless ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxv v the whole.htm

In Fine, Supplication for Pardon, with Humble and Ingenuous ...
... But although the saints do not always in express terms ask forgiveness of sins,
yet if we carefully ponder those ... admission into the favour of God, and then ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 9 in fine supplication.htm

Treats of the Insecurity of Life in this Exile, However High we ...
... God has shown them no small favour, but a very ... that we merit the reward of the saints,
for we ... worldly things and all our possessions for God (although they may ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter i treats of the.htm

From the Supplement to the Summa --Question Lxxii of the Prayers ...
... he thinks that he can obtain a favour more easily ... But God is infinitely more merciful
than any Saint ... would seem superfluous to make the Saints mediators between ...
/.../aquinas/on prayer and the contemplative life/from the supplement to the.htm

The Interior Castle, or The Mansions
... LAST CHAPTER TO BE GENUINE AND NO DECEPTION, TREATS OF ANOTHER FAVOUR OUR LORD ... SACRED
PASSION AND LIFE, AS ALSO THE GLORIOUS MOTHER OF GOD AND THE SAINTS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/

This Necessity Our Opponents do not at all Consider. ...
... we ask, a confidence which the Lord commands, and all the saints teach by ... and are
not only devoid of everything which can procure the favour of God for them ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 12 this necessity our.htm

All Saints' Day
... strong winds and bad times, then the Saints mourn over all ... But our faithful God will
find a place of ... there would be neither false judgment, favour or disfavour ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxv all saints day.htm

The Unity of God
... every one seeks to ingratiate himself into his favour, Proverbs 19 ... The saints above
know not our wants; if they did, we ... It is a sin condemned by the law of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/11 the unity of god.htm

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