In the Bible, the concept of favor is central to the believer’s understanding of God’s grace and mercy. Favor, in biblical terms, refers to God’s preferential treatment, His blessings, and His divine approval. It is the unmerited kindness that God shows to individuals who seek Him and follow His will. Favor is not just about receiving material blessings, but also about enjoying God’s presence, guidance, and protection.
Throughout Scripture, we see numerous instances where God extends His favor to individuals, communities, and nations. Whether it is favor with God or favor with man, the Bible provides us with rich examples of how God’s favor changes lives, opens doors, and brings about success. As believers, we are encouraged to seek and recognize God’s favor in every area of our lives.
In this article, we will explore 37 Bible verses that speak of God’s favor. These verses will help us understand how God’s favor operates, how it can be received, and the ultimate impact it has on those who are favored by God.
1. Genesis 6:8
“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”
This is one of the first instances where the Bible mentions God’s favor. Noah found favor because of his righteousness in a corrupt world. His favor with God led to his salvation and the preservation of humanity.
2. Genesis 39:4
“So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.”
Joseph’s favor with Potiphar shows how God’s favor can lead to promotion and responsibility, even in difficult circumstances.
3. Exodus 3:21
“And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty.”
God promises to give the Israelites favor as they leave Egypt, providing them with blessings and resources as they exit slavery.
4. Exodus 12:36
“And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus, they plundered the Egyptians.”
God’s favor allowed the Israelites to receive gifts from the Egyptians, showing how favor can result in unexpected blessings.
5. Leviticus 26:9
“I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you.”
In this verse, God promises favor to Israel in the form of fruitfulness and multiplication, which is a sign of His blessing.
6. 1 Samuel 2:26
“Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.”
Samuel’s life was marked by growth in both spiritual and social favor, demonstrating the holistic nature of God’s blessings.
7. 1 Samuel 16:22
“And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.'”
David’s favor with King Saul shows how favor can open doors for service and opportunity, even in hostile environments.
8. 2 Samuel 15:25
“And the king said to Zadok, ‘Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place.'”
King David’s plea for favor during a time of distress reveals the deep connection between favor and divine restoration.
9. 1 Kings 8:50
“And forgive your people who have sinned against you and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and grant them compassion in the sight of those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them.”
Favor can extend not only to individuals but also to nations, as seen in God’s mercy towards Israel during times of captivity.
10. 2 Chronicles 30:9
“If you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away His face from you if you return to Him.”
This verse highlights the restorative power of God’s favor—when people return to Him, they can expect mercy and favor to flow.
11. Esther 2:17
“The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
Esther’s favor with the king resulted in her elevation to a position of great influence, showing how favor can open doors to extraordinary opportunities.
12. Psalm 5:12
“For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.”
This verse shows how God’s favor acts as a protective shield over the righteous, guarding them from harm.
13. Psalm 30:5
“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
God’s favor brings lasting joy, transforming sorrow into gladness. His favor endures far longer than His anger or correction.
14. Psalm 35:27
“Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, ‘Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!'”
Favor is associated with the Lord’s delight in the welfare of His servants, bringing joy and encouragement.
15. Psalm 41:11
“By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.”
The Psalmist attributes his protection and favor to God, knowing that divine favor brings victory over enemies.
16. Psalm 84:11
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Favor is a key component of God’s goodness, extending honor and blessings to those who walk in righteousness.
17. Psalm 102:13
“You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.”
This verse speaks of a timely favor, where God arises to bless His people when the moment is right.
18. Proverbs 3:4
“So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.”
Favor leads to success in both spiritual and earthly matters. It’s a promise to those who embrace wisdom and understanding.
19. Proverbs 8:35
“For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.”
Favor comes to those who seek wisdom, which is a key element of God’s favor in our lives.
20. Proverbs 12:2
“A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns.”
Goodness and righteousness attract God’s favor, while evil leads to condemnation.
21. Proverbs 16:15
“In the light of the king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.”
The favor of a king (or a higher authority) brings prosperity and life, just as the favor of God brings refreshment and blessing.
22. Isaiah 60:10
“Foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you.”
God’s favor transforms hardships into blessings, using even those who were once adversaries to bring about restoration.
23. Luke 1:30
“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.'”
Mary’s favor with God led to the miraculous conception of Jesus, demonstrating how favor can lead to life-changing, world-altering events.
24. Luke 2:52
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”
Jesus’ life shows that favor is not limited to one’s relationship with God, but also impacts how one is perceived by others.
25. John 1:16
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
Favor and grace flow from Jesus, who is the embodiment of God’s favor to humanity.
26. Acts 7:10
“And rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.”
Joseph’s favor with Pharaoh opened the door for him to become a ruler, showcasing how God’s favor can elevate individuals to positions of great influence.
27. Acts 13:22
“And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'”
David’s favor with God was rooted in his heart to obey God, leading to his elevation as king.
28. Romans 5:17
“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”
Through Christ, believers receive an abundance of grace and favor, granting them eternal life and victory over sin.
29. 2 Corinthians 9:8
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
God’s favor provides all sufficiency, ensuring that believers have the resources and abilities needed to do good works.
30. Ephesians 1:6
“To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”
God’s favor is expressed through His grace, which blesses believers through Jesus Christ.
31. James 4:6
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
Humility positions us to receive God’s favor, while pride blocks it.
32. 1 Peter 5:5
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
Favor is granted to the humble, emphasizing the importance of humility in receiving God’s blessings.
33. Psalm 103:17
“But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children.”
God’s favor is not only for individuals but also extends to their descendants, showing the generational blessings of His grace.
34. Psalm 118:15
“Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: ‘The right hand of the Lord does valiantly!'”
God’s favor brings victory and joy, even in the midst of trials, producing songs of salvation and praise.
35. Isaiah 61:2
“To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.”
Favor is linked to comfort and restoration, especially for those who mourn.
36. Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
God promises to favor those who seek His kingdom and righteousness first, meeting their needs in abundance.
37. Romans 8:31
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
When God’s favor is upon us, no force or opposition can stand in the way of His blessings.
Conclusion
The Bible is full of promises and examples of God’s favor, demonstrating that God’s grace extends to those who seek Him, walk in humility, and follow His will. Favor is not just about earthly success, but about experiencing God’s presence, protection, and divine provision. As we seek to live lives that honor God, we can trust that His favor will be with us, guiding us to success, blessing, and a deeper relationship with Him. Through the verses above, we can understand how favor works and how we can position ourselves to receive it. May we all seek God’s favor in our lives and experience the fullness of His blessings.
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- 22 Bible Verses About Diversity
- 34 Bible Verses About Abortion Forgiveness
- 35 Bible Verses on Breaking Boundaries