IT’S SIMPLY THE FAVOR OF GOD!

By Evangelist Garlena L. Hines 

“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.  But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him FAVOR in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  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. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper
Genesis 39:20-23

Have you ever gone through so much in life that you asked God how He could receive glory from it?  Have you ever felt like you were overwhelmed by problems and knew it would work out, but, while going through it, you couldn’t see a positive outcome?  Many of us are familiar with the life of Joseph and all he encountered.  From his brothers being jealous and plotting his death, to them throwing him into a pit and telling his father he was killed by wild animals then selling him into slavery.  I can imagine that Joseph felt the same way as many of us do today.  He probably thought, “God, how can you get glory from this?”    I can imagine Joseph asking a series of questions: Why am I going through all of this?  What is it going to produce in my life?  When will this end?  What is God doing?   As you read this article I know some of you may feel like Joseph.  You feel as if you are always going through something. But I bring you good news!  Through all you’re facing you are still blessed.  Just know IT’S SIMPLY THE FAVOR OF GOD!!  

Many correlate favor with being blessed.  In some way or another, we are all blessed, but we all do not experience the favor of God.  Many misunderstand the “favor” of God and think it’s something you can earn or something you can work for, but it’s neither of these things.  Favor is not based on how long you’ve been saved or how long you’ve been a member of the church.  Favor is strictly “God based”.  It is not based on how good you’ve been or how faithful you are in giving, but it’s an honor bestowed on the believer as God sees fit. 

Through everything Joseph went through he maintained his loyalty, faithfulness, integrity and relationship with God.  As harsh as it seemed Joseph was “chosen” to go through everything he faced, and, because of how he handled it, it produced the “favor” of God on his life.  As you read the passages detailing with what he faced, you’ll find that not once did Joseph compromise, turn away or give up, but he stood strong on this faith.  Many believers want the favor but they don’t want to go through anything to obtain that favor.  After Joseph’s experience with the Potiphar’s wife he was unjustly thrown into jail.  The scripture says “the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”  While many of the other prisoners received “kudos” for good behavior, Joseph began to receive special attention from the jailer.  Many of us have experienced this same type of favor.  We’re the last one to be hired, but because God has placed His favor on us, we are in a position where our supervisors’ recognize the favor.  They may think we have special abilities because we graduated at the top of our class, but in the spiritual realm, we know it’s the favor of God they really see.   

Many of you who are reading this article are experiencing the favor of God while there are others in your midst who don’t understand.  It’s causing a strain on some relationships and friendships.  Even church folk are looking at you out of the corner of their eye because you have been promoted.  Many are whispering in corners, trying to attack your character, trying to figure out who you know and how you got to this place.  As with Joseph, they need to know that the LORD is with you and He will give you favor with those who don’t understand why they are treating you so well.   

The scripture also said “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”.  This is why it is good to remain faithful to GOD.  Not only did God give Joseph favor with the jailer, but He caused the jailer to promote Joseph over the other prisoners. Can you imagine going on a new job, joining a new organization, becoming a member of a new church and God placing you in a leadership position that others can only dream of having?  Not only was Joseph in charge but whatever he said or did was okay with the jailer.  See, Joseph’s reputation must have preceded him.  Although he had been “chased” while working for the Potiphar, he had a good work ethic.  He was over the men of that house and that same favor was on him in jail.   

The favor of God didn’t stop there, but “the keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him, and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper”.  Readers, this speaks of his integrity.  While many have been promoted they are still being watched and questioned by those over them.  But the jailer didn’t question any of Joseph’s decisions or the authority he exhibited over the other prisoners.  If you would trust God in the midst of what seems painful, God will raise you up in due time. You don’t have to brown nose, play games or back stab to receive the favor of God.  It will be placed on you and all you have to do is receive it.   

Readers I encourage you to walk in faith and receive the favor of God.  He desires to bless you; therefore, receive it.  Don’t make excuses for it, don’t be ashamed of it and when others ask about it, just say, “It’s simply the favor of God.”