Favor In The Eyes Of The LORD!
What causes the LORD to look upon a person with favor? The LORD looks for those who have a heart that is perfect toward Him!
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.
When the LORD searches the earth, will His gaze stop on us?
Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD!
Genesis 6:8
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
David found favor in the eyes of the LORD!
1 Kings 15:5
Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that He commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
David wrote this Psalm about the favor given by the LORD, to those who trust in Him!
Psalm 5:11-12
But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy Name be joyful in Thee. For Thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt Thou compass him as with a shield.
Asa found favor in the eyes of the LORD!
1 Kings 15:11,14
And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. [14] But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.
Beloved, please take notice of David, and Asa! They did sin, they were not perfect in their flesh, but the LORD looked at their hearts! He is looking for a perfect heart!
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Mary found favor in the eyes of the LORD!
Luke 1:28,30,38
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou among women. [30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the LORD; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Do you see Mary’s heart toward the LORD? He told her this amazingly inconceivable thing was going to happen to her and her response was — be it don’t unto me according to your word!
Esther found favor in the eyes of the LORD!
She was willing to do whatever was necessary to please the King and to save her people, even if it meant death!
Esther 2:9
And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her.
Esther 5:2
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
The LORD is seeking those who have a perfect heart toward Him! He is preparing them to be His glorious church!
Ephesians 5:27
That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Our entire lives as Christian’s is a sanctification and purification process! He accepts us where we are beloved — But He doesn’t leave us alone and walk away! He purifies us through our trials!
Just as Esther underwent preparation before being brought before the King, the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives as we await the day Jesus returns for His church!
1 Peter 1:2
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4,7
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; [7] For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
I think about my own life, and marvel that the LORD would choose to use me, and give me His favor, because I know my own sins and flaws!
But He, reminds us that He looks at our hearts! He knows our weaknesses, and He continually conforms us to His image while He is preparing us as His bride!
When the time came to be presented to the King — Esther found favor in his eyes, and he made her queen!
Esther 2:17
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
He will set a crown on the heads of those who are faithful to Him to the end! He crowns us with His favor!
2 Timothy 4:8
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the Crown of Life, which the LORD hath promised to them that love Him.
Are you willing to lay down your life to find favor in the eyes of the LORD? Are you willing to do whatever it takes?
Mark 8:34-35
And when he had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Revelation 19:7-9
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And He saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.
#EyesOnHim