The Transformational Power of Divine Favour, and How to Obtain God's Favour

"For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." — Psalm 5:12 (KJV)

Some people work hard for years and seem to go nowhere. Others step into a room and doors open that no skill, money or connection could have opened. Throughout Scripture, the difference often comes down to one thing: the favour of God.

Favour lifted a Hebrew slave and a man brought out of prison barely twenty four hours ago to the second-highest office in Egypt. It placed a royal crown on the head of an orphan girl in exile. It made a grieving foreign widow part of the family line of King David, and of Jesus Christ Himself. Favour can change a life, a family and even a nation in a single day.

In this article, we'll look at what divine favour is, how it has transformed lives in both the Old and New Testaments, and how you can obtain it today.

What Is Divine Favour?

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most often translated "favour" or "grace" is chen (חֵן). It comes from the root chanan, which means to bend or stoop down in kindness toward an inferior, to show mercy, and to be gracious. A second Hebrew word, ratson, carries the idea of goodwill, delight and acceptance. In the New Testament, the Greek word is charis, which is the same word translated "grace."

Putting these together, we can define it this way:

Divine favour is the undeserved kindness, goodwill, acceptance and delight of God toward a person, which causes Him to act on their behalf and often moves others to show them kindness, honour and preference.

Favour is not something you earn. It is God's grace in action. It is God leaning toward you in love and making things happen for you that you could never make happen for yourself. The very first time this word appears in the Bible, it shines out against a dark background. The earth was full of violence and corruption, and God had decided to bring judgment, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8, KJV). The New International Version renders it, "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8, NIV). That one sentence of favour preserved Noah, his family, and the future of the whole human race.

Favour Works in Two Directions

Scripture shows that favour flows from God and then often through people. Proverbs promises that the one who keeps mercy and truth "shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man" (Proverbs 3:4, KJV). When God favours you, He can turn the hearts of kings, employers, officials and even enemies toward you. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will" (Proverbs 21:1, KJV).

Favour Is Not Favouritism

God's favour doesn't mean He plays favourites. Peter declared, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34, KJV). God's favour is open to everyone who comes to Him on His terms. As we'll see, Scripture shows clearly who walks in it and how.

The Transformational Power of Favour

1. Favour Surrounds and Protects

"For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." — Psalm 5:12 (KJV)

The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, expands it: "For You, O Lord, bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You surround him with favor" (Psalm 5:12, AMPC).

A shield in ancient warfare was large enough to cover the whole body. Favour doesn't just touch one area of your life. It surrounds you on every side.

2. Favour Brings Life and Turns Sorrow Into Joy

"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." — Psalm 30:5 (KJV)

Where God's favour rests, there is life, renewal and joy. The night of weeping gives way to the morning of joy. Favour gives rise to breakthroughs.

3. Favour Makes Your Enemies Live at Peace With You

"When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." — Proverbs 16:7 (KJV)

Favour doesn't always remove opposition, but it can silence it, disarm it and turn it into peace.

4. Favour Establishes the Work of Your Hands

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands." — Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

Favour gives your labour lasting results. What you build under God's favour stands. Favour brings prosperity.

5. Favour Has a Set Time

"Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come." — Psalm 102:13 (KJV)

God has appointed seasons of favour. When that time comes, what seemed impossible for years can change in a moment.

Old Testament Examples of Divine Favour

Joseph: From the Pit to the Palace

Joseph's life shows that favour does not mean an absence of trouble. Favour carries you through trouble to your destiny. His brothers threw him into a pit and sold him into slavery. Yet in Potiphar's house, Scripture records:

"And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian... And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand." — Genesis 39:2, 4 (KJV)

Falsely accused and thrown into prison, Joseph still carried favour:

"But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison." — Genesis 39:21 (KJV)

Finally, after interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph was lifted in a single day from prisoner to prime minister: "See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt" (Genesis 41:41, KJV). Stephen later summarised Joseph's story this way: God "delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house" (Acts 7:10, KJV).

Notice that Joseph's favour was tied to his integrity. When Potiphar's wife tempted him, he answered, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9, KJV).

Israel: Favour That Transferred Wealth

After 430 years of slavery, Israel left Egypt not as beggars but as people loaded with wealth. God had promised Moses:

"And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty." — Exodus 3:21 (KJV)

And it came to pass exactly as He said:

"And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians." — Exodus 12:36 (KJV)

In one night, favour reversed generations of oppression. The same Egyptians who had enslaved Israel handed over their silver, gold and clothing.

Moses: Favour That Brings God's Presence

Moses understood that God's favour was more precious than anything else, even the Promised Land. He prayed:

"Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight." — Exodus 33:13 (KJV)

God answered:

"I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name." — Exodus 33:17 (KJV)

The highest form of favour is not what God gives you, but that God knows you by name and goes with you.

Ruth: From Foreign Widow to Royal Ancestry

Ruth was a Moabite widow, a foreigner with no inheritance and no future in Israel. But she chose loyalty to Naomi and faith in Naomi's God. When she went to glean in the fields of Boaz, she was overwhelmed by his kindness:

"Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?" — Ruth 2:10 (KJV)

Boaz told his workers to "let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her" (Ruth 2:16, KJV). That is favour: blessings deliberately placed in your path. Ruth went on to marry Boaz, and she became the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 4:17) and is named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).

Samuel and David: Favour That Grows

Of the boy Samuel, Scripture says:

"And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men." — 1 Samuel 2:26 (KJV)

David, the youngest son overlooked by his own family, was anointed king. Later, King Saul sent word to Jesse: "Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight" (1 Samuel 16:22, KJV). Favour brought the shepherd boy into the palace long before he wore the crown. Stephen later described David as one "who found favour before God" (Acts 7:46, KJV).

Esther: From Orphan to Queen

Esther was an orphan, a Jewish exile raised by her cousin Mordecai in a foreign land. Yet favour followed her everywhere:

"And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her." — Esther 2:15 (KJV)

"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." — Esther 2:17 (KJV)

When her people faced annihilation, Esther fasted for three days (Esther 4:16), then risked her life by approaching the king uninvited. Favour met her at the throne:

"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." — Esther 5:2 (KJV)

Esther's favour saved a whole nation.

Nehemiah: Favour That Opens Doors

Nehemiah was a cupbearer in Persia when he heard that Jerusalem's walls lay in ruins. Before speaking to the king, he prayed specifically for favour:

"O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant... and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." — Nehemiah 1:11 (KJV)

The king not only released him but provided letters of safe passage and timber for the building. Nehemiah gave God the credit: "And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me" (Nehemiah 2:8, KJV).

Daniel: Favour in a Foreign Land

Daniel was taken captive to Babylon as a young man. He "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat" (Daniel 1:8, KJV). Then:

"Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs." — Daniel 1:9 (KJV)

The New International Version says, "Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel" (Daniel 1:9, NIV). Daniel went on to serve under several kings, "because an excellent spirit was in him" (Daniel 6:3, KJV). Even the lions' den couldn't stop the favour of God on his life.

New Testament Examples of Divine Favour

Mary: Highly Favoured

When the angel Gabriel appeared to a young woman in the humble town of Nazareth, his greeting was extraordinary:

"Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." — Luke 1:28 (KJV)

"Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God." — Luke 1:30 (NIV)

The Greek phrase translated "highly favoured" (kecharitōmenē) comes from charis and means "graced" or "endued with grace." Mary's favour didn't mean an easy life. Simeon told her that "a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also" (Luke 2:35, KJV). But it placed her at the centre of God's plan of salvation for the world.

Jesus: Growing in Favour

Even the Son of God, in His humanity, grew in favour:

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." — Luke 2:52 (NKJV)

Jesus' life shows us that favour is something we can grow in, as we grow in wisdom and walk closely with the Father.

The Early Church: Favour With All the People

After Pentecost, the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. The result:

"Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." — Acts 2:47 (KJV)

Their favour with people opened the door for the Gospel to spread rapidly. Favour leads to multiplication and growth.

Paul: Favour Even in Chains

As a prisoner on his way to Rome, Paul experienced favour from his Roman guard: "And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself" (Acts 27:3, KJV). When the ship was wrecked and the soldiers planned to kill all the prisoners, the centurion, "willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose" (Acts 27:43, KJV). Favour preserved Paul's life so he could finish his assignment.

The Source of Favour for Believers Today: Jesus Christ

Under the New Covenant, favour is not earned by human merit. It flows through what Jesus has done. Paul writes:

"To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." — Ephesians 1:6 (NKJV)

The word "accepted" here is from the same root as charis. In Christ, we have been "graced," highly favoured and fully accepted by God. Just as Mary was "highly favoured," every believer is surrounded with God's grace through Jesus.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)

Jesus came "to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:19, KJV), the year of the Lord's favour. And Paul declares, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2, KJV). The season of favour has been opened to all who believe.

How to Obtain God's Favour and Walk in Divine Favour

Favour is a gift of grace, but Scripture also shows the kind of life on which favour rests. These are not ways of earning God's love. They are ways of positioning yourself where His favour flows.

1. Receive Jesus Christ

The doorway to God's favour is Jesus. Without Him, we stand condemned. In Him, we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6, NKJV). Everything else in this list flows from a relationship with God through Christ. To receive Jesus and surrender your life to Him, and become a true child of God, you need to pray the Salvation Prayer out loud and mean it. Click the link to see the Salvation Prayer. Jesus will accept you now and you become His own.

2. Walk in Righteousness and Integrity

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." — Psalm 84:11 (KJV)

"A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn." — Proverbs 12:2 (KJV)

Joseph refused Potiphar's wife. Daniel refused the king's defiling food. Their integrity kept them in the place of favour.

3. Humble Yourself

"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." — James 4:6 (KJV)

Pride closes the door to favour. Humility opens it. God says, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isaiah 66:2, KJV).

4. Seek Wisdom and Love God's Word

Wisdom personified says in Proverbs:

"For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD." — Proverbs 8:35 (NKJV)

Fill your heart with God's Word. As Jesus grew in wisdom, He grew in favour (Luke 2:52).

5. Practise Mercy, Kindness and Faithfulness

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." — Proverbs 3:3–4 (NIV)

Ruth's kindness to Naomi was noticed. Boaz told her, "It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband" (Ruth 2:11, KJV). Kindness sows seeds of favour. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:27 [KJV] "He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor; but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him." Therefore, to obtain favour, seek the good of others. Seek the good of other people, and seek the good of the things of God, and the house of God.

You cannot be a person who regularly seeks the downfall and destruction of others, and in the same vein you will obtain favour from God.

6. Pursue Excellence and Diligence

"Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." — Proverbs 22:29 (KJV)

Joseph served Potiphar well, ran the prison faithfully and managed Egypt wisely. Daniel had "an excellent spirit." Favour often finds the faithful worker. Jesus said, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much" (Luke 16:10, KJV).

7. Pray for Favour

Don't be shy to ask God for favour. Nehemiah prayed for it before he spoke to the king (Nehemiah 1:11). Esther fasted before she approached the throne (Esther 4:16). The psalmist prayed:

"Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation." — Psalm 106:4 (KJV)

We are invited to come boldly: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16, KJV). Read and meditate on Matthew 7: 7 to 11 and you will receive light. Get our Free Prayer Booklet

8. Seek to Please God First

"When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." — Proverbs 16:7 (KJV)

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." — Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

When pleasing God is your first priority, He takes care of the rest.

9. Value Favour Above Riches

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." — Proverbs 22:1 (KJV)

Favour is worth more than money. Money can buy many things, but only favour can open certain doors.

10. Stay Faithful Through the Process

Favour doesn't always look like favour at first. Joseph was in a pit, then a prison, before he reached the palace. Looking back, he told his brothers, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Genesis 50:20, KJV). Keep trusting God in the waiting season, because the set time of favour will come (Psalm 102:13).

There is something important you should know about favour, as God did for the people whom He loved in the Old Testament, if you are saved/born again/redeemed, you belong to a better covenant established on better promises.

Hebrews 8:6 [New King James Version]

 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Therefore, you are entitled to even more favour and blessing than they received. Believe this, act it, and walk in the light of it.

A Prayer and Declaration of Favour

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You that in Christ I am accepted in the Beloved and surrounded with Your favour as with a shield. Help me to walk in righteousness, humility, wisdom, kindness and excellence. Let Your favour rest on me and establish the work of my hands. Turn the hearts of those who matter to my destiny toward me for good. As You were with Joseph, Ruth, Esther, Daniel and Mary, be with me, and let Your favour lift me to fulfil Your purpose for my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A servant of God of blessed memory, Jerry Savelle said in his teaching that God started teaching him about favour decades ago, and one thing God said is that His people should declare the favour of God over their lives. So write down a favour declaration and declare it every morning and night before you go to bed. It could go like this, but write yours "I am blessed and highly favoured. People and systems from all nations favour me. Protocols are broken for me because I am favoured by God. The Lord favours me and blesses me, and causes me to prosper, therefore I am prosperous and abundant in wealth and in every good thing...".

A Call to Surrender

The greatest favour God has ever shown humanity is the gift of His Son. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, KJV). Through Jesus, those who were far off can be accepted, forgiven and made children of God.

If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, today can be your day of favour. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2, KJV).

If you want to surrender to Jesus today and become a true child of God, pray the Salvation Prayer here.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, we would love to hear from you. Email us at newlife@lovefaithandmiracles.com

About the Author

Edikan Uko is the Editor of LoveFaithandMiracles.com, where she oversees a growing library of Bible-based articles, devotionals and resources that help people come to know Jesus and grow in Him. She is also a regular contributor to Rooted Daily: A Daily Devotional, which offers believers daily nourishment from God's Word.

A Bible teacher and devoted servant of God, Edikan writes on faith, prayer, spiritual growth and practical Christian living. Her teaching is grounded in Scripture and applied to everyday life, helping believers move beyond head knowledge into a deeper, more intimate walk with Jesus.

Edikan is passionate about reaching the lost with the Gospel and helping people become committed disciples of Jesus Christ. She preaches, teaches and evangelises in person in her city, across her nation and around the world. She also uses digital tools and platforms to carry the message of Christ to people wherever they are. Whether face to face or online, her desire is that people everywhere will encounter God's love, surrender their lives to Jesus, and be equipped to follow Him faithfully. Her heart echoes the Great Commission: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19–20, KJV).