Favour: Given and Grown
Speaker: Pastor Caleb Chiu
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Favour is what wisdom produces.
We cannot wrestle or strive for favour; favour is given. Samuel’s story of receiving favour starts even before he was born, when his mother Hannah dedicated him to the Lord. Samuel had no choice in the matter; he is the result of someone else’s sacrifice. What he received wasn’t a result of his deeds, but rather a reflection of the Father’s grace.
Samuel grew up in the midst of an environment where those around him rebelled against God, and where the one who was supposed to lead was also compromised. Despite this, Samuel never allowed his environment to become an excuse; rather, he placed his focus solely on ministering before the Lord. Favour is received when we set our eyes on His presence despite the circumstances around us.
Samuel’s choice to stay near the ark allowed him to hear God’s voice; something that even the high priest was unable to do in the moment. Proximity is important; because of Samuel’s closeness to the presence, he was able to hear His voice. As Eli slept soundly in his usual place of rest, he could not hear. God also challenges Samuel - He chose not to reveal Himself even as Samuel mistakes Him to be the voice of Eli. God trains Samuel to recognize His voice. The result? He became recognized as a prophet of God, a man who definitively knew God’s voice. That is favour!
Favour also leads us to people. When we are given favour with people from God, we gain the grace to influence their hearts where no one else can touch. Favour with men has to be grown. Just as Jesus sat with His teachers in the temple and asked them questions, when we sit with others, we want to get to know them and who they are. Learn to ask good questions to those around you.
What does this mean for us now? We now have a generation desperate to understand what they live for. The truth is, the only way we figure out who we are is to figure out who we belong to. Our identity is rooted in the Father; when we come to know who God is and what He says about us, He enables us to walk in the favour and mission that He has assigned to us.
So, the key is this: what is our usual place, and what is our ark? Eli’s place was familiar but farther from the presence of God - Samuel intentionally placed himself close to God, and in return was given both favour from God and eventually, with people. Where is our usual place, and how do we close the gap between us and God so that we intentionally place ourselves closer to Him? For some, maybe it looks like replacing our phone with the Word first thing in the morning. Maybe it looks like listening and praying with our children rather than simply praying for them. Maybe it looks like turning off the TV during dinner, and instead ministering unto the Lord as a family together. What would it look like this week to move closer to the ark?
Lord, may we learn to steward favour from You so that we may touch the hearts of those around us. May our focus be on Your glory and presence, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. Through Your favour, may be be able to walk in the unique mission that You have assigned to each and every one of us.