Various people are listed in the Scripture as the chosen of God for special blessings and thus be a blessing to others. Abraham, Prophet Samuel, King David and many others could enter into the presence of the LORD God. Noah was chosen by God from the whole lot of people and only his family of eight people escaped the flood. There are some definite traits that make anyone thus a favourite of God.
Why does a loving God bless some with extra favours? Jeremiah was one person who was chosen by God to be a prophet and told, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you as a prophet to the nations’ (Jeremiah 1:4-5). But during the entire period of his prophetic ministry of more than forty years, he proclaimed what he received from God, yet no one believed him. He suffered intense mental and physical pain, for every one took him to be a traitor due to his preaching about the sins of the people, urging them to turn to the Lord to avoid punishment. In the end he was forcibly taken to Egypt and as per legend, he was stoned to death (Jeremiah 43:6). During his life or afterwards will he be considered the favourite or cursed of God?
Noah’s generation was steeped in sin and seeing their evil works, ‘the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart’ (Genesis 6:6). But was not the All-knowing God already aware of all that, before creating man on the earth? God’s love is paramount and prevails over His justice but it will not be forever, for the day of judgement must come. David could say about the goodness of God, ‘You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You’ (Psalm 5:4). Satan and one third angels had to leave heaven and the presence of God and in a similar manner Adam and Eve also had to leave the Garden of Eden.
After sin of disobedience, the first mention of someone being liked by God is among the two brothers, ‘the LORD respected Abel and his offering’ (Genesis 4:5). Jealousy due to this led to Cain murdering him. All of humanity was deep in sin, yet, ‘Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD’ (Genesis 6:8-9). This was one family that was considered by God to be worthy of being chosen to be the seed for future generations. The reason for this choice is simple, ‘Noah was a just man, perfect in his generation. Noah walked with God’. When we look all around us, we find a similar situation in the world where evil is predominant. Like Noah, in our life also, obedience and walking with God is a choice, to stand opposing the sinfulness and follow Him.
Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved’, defines this walk, ‘He who says he abides in Him ought also to walk just as He walked’ (1 John 2:6). Even when it feels easier to follow the crowd, walking with God is about a continuous, deep trust and relationship that shows absolute reliance on Him and Him alone. Apostle John had walked with the Saviour Lord in closeness that changed him from being ‘son of thunder’ to the Apostle of love. At the Last Supper, Lord Jesus told the disciples about the ‘betrayer’ among them (John 13:23-24). At that time, ‘there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved’ – Such was the closeness and his submission to the Master. He was aware of his inability to stop the God ordained crucifixion, yet he was present at the crucifixion site to be given the responsibility of care of the Lord’s mother, Mary (John 19:26). It is those who walk with God, who are chosen for special responsibilities having long lasting consequences.
Before Noah’s time it had never rained on earth, for the earth watered the plants growing on it from under the surface, the water level being high. Also he lived far from the sea-shore in the plains. However, at his birth, his father Lamech prophesied, ‘This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed’ (Genesis 5:29). Noah was then commanded to make an ark/ship of a large size, measuring 450 feet in length, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. He was told to ‘cover it inside and outside with pitch’ to make it water-proof. God promised to save him and his household from destruction by the flood.
Whether it was Noah or Apostle John or the rest of the disciples in their times, or any believer for a special role today, the basic criteria is the same. God who searches the hearts and minds, looks for absolute obedience. Noah, his wife, three sons and their wives, a total of only eight people worked for making the ark and it took them 120 years. During all that time, no one responded to Noah’s warning of the coming flood. People must have ridiculed him but they continued working faithfully. Walking with God is about continuing despite great odds, for God will definitely provide the strength, physical, spiritual and financial resources, to complete the task.
Walking in the favour of God – David was called ‘man of God’s heart’ and King Saul, out of jealousy, sought to kill him. Jonathan, Saul’s son, was David’s friend and agreed to help him know the truth. Jonathan was the natural heir of King Saul but he was aware of David being chosen by God to be the next king. He sought a promise from David, ‘you shall not only show me the kindness of the LORD while I still live, that I may not die; but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever’. David was first accepted by the tribe of Judah as their king and after seven years by the other tribes also. Then, he looked for any descendants of Saul to fulfil his promise made to Jonathan, whose son Mephibosheth was ‘lame in his feet’. He was brought before David to be told by him, ‘do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually’. The practice at that time was to kill all the descendants of the previous king to avoid any rebellion in future.
Lord Jesus has taught, ‘Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me’ (John 15:4-5). Abide is to continue despite anything and only such can bear fruit. It took Noah 120 years to complete the task but he diligently continued. Apostle Paul suffered greatly and in his last letter from the underground cell of Roman prison, he could write, ‘For this reason (to be the messenger of the Gospel) I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed’ (2 Timothy 1:12). Can we, like Apostle Paul, claim to know whom we believe?
Moses was barred from leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and Joshua was to succeed him. God commanded him, ‘Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel. Afterward, you shall be gathered to your people’ (Numbers 31:2). This was his last task as the leader of the Israelites before his death. He did not delay to fulfil this and thus, prolong his life by a few months or years. But he went about immediately to select the thousand warriors from each tribe to complete the task.
Apostle Peter was given the responsibility to care for the new believers, the lambs, those who were growing strong in faith and the sheep, leaders and others. He was aware of his death in the near future but still wanted to encourage the believers. He could say, ‘it is right as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing this shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me’ (2 Peter 1:12-14).
For anyone to continue in the grace of our Lord, the first thing is to hear the voice of the Lord, discern and live in obedience. In this, it is not about self-glory but giving all the honour and praise to the Lord. David donated an unimaginably large amount of gold, silver and other treasures for the construction of the Temple, that was to be constructed later and not by him (1 Chronicles 28:11-17). On the other hand, King Hezekiah was told by Prophet Isaiah about the coming judgement of the LORD God on his kingdom, including carrying away all the wealth, his sons to be slaves in Babylon after his death (Isaiah 39:6-8). He told the Prophet, ‘The Word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!’ For he said, At least, there will be peace and truth in my days’.
The contrast between the two kings is so startling. David cared for glorifying God in ensuring provisioning of all that could be required for construction of the Temple. Hezekiah was happy to avoid any suffering during his time. God looks for the ones who, like Him, love others as much or more than themselves. Lord Jesus categorised the two greatest commandments; with loving God with our whole beings first and loving the neighbour as ourselves second. The secret to finding favour with God is to diligently follow these and God provides abundantly for fulfilling these. Apostle Paul could finally say with confidence, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept my faith’ (2 Timothy 4:7).
Moses spoke to the Israelites through the Book of Deuteronomy all that the LORD had done and finally climbed Mount Nebo to submit to God’s will for his death. He was called the ‘servant of the LORD’ and after seeing all of the Promised Land from the mountain, he died there. The LORD honoured Moses by burying him ‘in a valley in the land of Moab’, to avoid desecration as also his worship by the people, ‘no one knows his grave to this day’ (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). God not only blesses those who really abide in Him in this life but even hereafter.
Traits of the ‘Favoured Ones’ – Prophet Elijah was instructed by God to anoint Elisha, the son of Shaphat as his successor. Elisha was from a wealthy family, ploughing his field with twelve yokes of oxen (1 Kings 19:19-21). On being called by Prophet Elijah, he wanted to go home and wish his parents and then come. But at the prophet’s insistence, he sacrificed his pair of oxen and all ate that. After closing all options of turning back, he followed Prophet Elijah and served him diligently. Prophet Elijah was informed by God to get ready to be taken up in a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:1-12). He moved to Gilgal first, then from there to Bethel, on to Jericho and across the Jordan River, which Elijah parted by striking the waters with his mantle. At every stage he urged Elisha to stay back and let him go alone to obey the Lord’s command. Elisha refused to part with him and followed. Finally, Prophet Elijah told him, ‘Ask! What may I do for you before I am taken away from you?’ What we may think to be a bold and cheeky demand, he asked the Prophet, ‘Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me’. He had left everything to serve God and this blessing was also sought to glorify God.
Finding favour with God is about growing into a deeper relationship with God to align human desires with the will of God. It is about faithfulness, obedience and a heart submitted to follow God’s way. It is much more than good deeds but a continuous journey of being humble, compassionate and caring for others. Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of the Son of God, for her submission and deep understanding of the Word of God. Time spent in seeking and being in God’s presence helps us gaze into His heart. We do not only receive blessings but become the channel of His grace for others around us.
Abraham, in faith, did not hesitate to offer his son Isaac as an offering to the Lord, but when Sodom and Gomorrah were to be destroyed, he intercede with God. It is not only about personal godliness but seeking justice and mercy for others also. Joseph was sold into slavery, put into prison on a false charge for refusing to sleep with Potiphar’s wife but on becoming the Prime Minister of Egypt he forgave and forgot it all. After Jacob, their father’s death, his brothers were filled with fear, but he could tell them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?’ (Genesis 50:19-20). He could tell them to forget the past and move on.
Finding favour with God is to face all challenges of life with wisdom and deep faith in God. Saul, later Apostle Paul, was a witness to the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr of faith. Ruth, a Moabite woman, refused to leave her mother-in-law Naomi and could declare in faith, ‘your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried’ (Ruth 1:16-17). For this care and love, God favoured her with her marriage to Boaz, one of the rich men of Bethlehem. Moreover, she became the mother of Obed, the father of Jesse, who was King David’s father. She is included in the genealogy of Lord Jesus, despite being from Moab
Finding favour with God is based on the character of an individual, how closely it resembles the Son of God. Those are chosen by God, who are readily available for His work, in the way and place He desires them to be. The three disciples, Peter, James and John were witness to the Transfiguration of Lord Jesus and the presence of Moses and Elijah with Him, talking to Him. All suffered relentlessly following their Saviour’s way of being a blessing to others, despite great sufferings.
It is about obedience in the place and situation that God has placed one. Most people pray for various things so that they could serve God properly and in the best manner. God chose Prophet Elisha for his sincerity and commitment in whatever he was involved in. We are all highly favoured by God for He sacrificed His greatest treasure of heaven, His Own Son for us. The option to be in the list of God’s favoured ones is open and anyone can write his name there through submission and doing His will.
When God blesses someone, there is no great announcement about that to let others know. But we keep on trying to tell everyone about what we have received, to let everyone know and applause. God desires us to glorify Him through our works, praise and care for others, while we want self-glorification. Walking with God in His favour is about living as per His norms and ways as a shadow is seen to be imitating the real. No one can achieve this on his own but through submission, commitment and thus being transformed by God!
