Yesterday a co-worker told me a highly ranked Officer of our company complimented my work to my boss's boss. Her comment reminded me of the gracious, will of God. Even those we fear are under His auspice. Throughout the Bible there are accounts of men and women who gain favor with fearful men and dreaded enemies. When Paul tells us that we "wrestle not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:11-13) our own life experiences makes that clear. I'm not remarkable. In fact, I recently exploded in a meeting and told my boss I hated a project I was working on. Oops. After that meeting my boss stated that she'd never let me fail. I was then, of course, scolded for my reaction during the meeting. The point is, I'm nothing and no one special. My sudden exposure to many different departments has generated a stirring up of compliments towards me. It's tempting to become immodest and say I'm a fabulous, genius employee. While I work hard and try to be flawless in all I do, I'm just like anyone else.
What I've found is that wherever we are and with whomever we are with, God tilts the heart of that person. Their favor begins to shine upon us because He tells them to. When a life is consecrated to Christ, because He favors us, he sometimes make our enemies to as well. Take a look at some scriptures below that enumerate this point exactly. There are so many others ...
Psalm 30:4-6 (New King James Version)
4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.[a] 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. 6 Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.”
Proverbs 3:3-6 (New King James Version)
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths.
4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.[a] 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. 6 Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.”
Proverbs 3:3-6 (New King James Version)
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths.
Genesis 39:3-5 (New King James Version)
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field
Genesis 39:20-22 (New King James Version)
20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.
Daniel 39:20-22 (New King James Version)
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.
Daniel 39:20-22 (New King James Version)
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
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