I Samuel 2:26
“Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men.”
The same comment was made about Jesus, “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men”, Luke 2:52. Some may say that Jesus was God and Samuel was one of the greatest prophets. That may be so, but the Lord wants the same to be true with us.
How do we grow in favor with God? The first step is to be forgiven, then to be reconciled with Him (Romans 10:9). He loves us regardless, but we aren’t reunited with Him. Next, we follow Him (Luke 10:27). How do we do that? Matthew 11:29 & 30 says, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and ‘YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS’. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” We are to learn from Him. This is done by going to church, being involved with believers, reading and obeying the Bible. This is His Word to us. He will impress upon us which parts to focus. Thus is a wonderful life of living in favor with God.
How do we grow in favor with people? Doing the first teaches us how to do the second. The Lord says to “love our neighbor as ourselves”, (Mark 12:31). This can be misunderstood. This doesn’t mean we don’t count and everyone else should go before us. There are times when we do this, but we aren’t to love them more than ourselves as a lifestyle.
Another way we grow in favor with people is by our talents. Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” We all have multiple talents that are used in different circumstances. Some are personality gifts, others have to do with our competence. As we walk in integrity, the Lord allow our talents to give us favor.
Lord, thank You for Your examples in the Bible. Help us to grow in favor with You and others.