Psalm 5:11,12

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. 12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Question for this lesson: How do we practically receive, germinate and grow this “Favor” of God in our lives?

Let us first look at the scripture: Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Father Abraham stood firm in his belief that what God said he would do! God told him that he would be a Father of many nations. Abraham did not look at his circumstance…he did not take into account that Sarah was past the child bearing age, he did not look at the fact that he was over 100 years old himself. He did not try to FIGURE OUT how God was going to do it. No, he stood firm in his belief that God was not a liar. He had FAITH and was FAITHFUL.

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6

The Hebrew word in this text for “believed” is aman. It is a verb and is translated to mean to be faithful, to support, to confirm, to uphold and to nourish. THIS faithfulness of Father Abraham was counted to him as righteousness.

I want to interject here the scripture that tells us that God does not show partiality to one person or another. What he does for me he will do for you; what he did for Moses, Jacob, Paul or Peter he will do for you.

Romans 2:11 reads: For there is no partiality with God. If you have true unwavering faith in God (like Father Abraham) and what He says he will also count this towards you for righteousness. This is the promise of God in this scripture. God does not care about your circumstances. He cares about your faith in Him.

Romans 5:20, 21 The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly; that as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to eternal life through Yeshua the Messiah our Lord.

GRACE in this text is translated as that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favor.

The FAVOR of God comes to us through righteousness and righteousness comes through FAITH!! Just as it did with Father Abraham!

This is why the scripture tells us that Faith without works is dead. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

If Faith without works is dead then Faith with works must therefore be alive! When we put our faith into action it brings life. THIS is what determines the amount of favor and grace that will operate in the life of the believer…it all comes down to Faith!

Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. Romans 4:4, 5

But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18

Step out in your faith and watch the Favor of God grow and mature in your life!! This must be a practical actual act. Chooose something in your life that requires faith, step out in it and watch the power of God work in your life!