In all my years, the one thing I have seen that can open doors of opportunity in the most profound ways has been the extension of favor when favor was not expected. Favor is a key with supernatural power.
Favor has been defined as gracious and kind or an action motivated by goodwill. Goodwill is the definition that captured my attention. Goodwill has been described as a tangible asset exchanged between the giver and recipient. The extension of goodwill has the potential to set in motion reconciliation when all avenues have been attempted yet failed.
In the profound reunion between Jacob and Esau, goodwill formed the caravan of gifts that preceded the reunion between the two brothers and prevented bloodshed. When the Lord was calling Moses, it was the favor of God that gave a reluctant leader the confidence to lead under the anointing of God’s goodwill.
In her fear of becoming pregnant, the angel told Mary not to be afraid because she had found favor with God. As Jesus grew Scripture tells us He found favor with God and people. In His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus entered the synagogue telling those present He had been sent to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. Right after the Day of Pentecost, the early believers were meeting together praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. Paul described favor as something given to him through the prayers of fellow saints. Peter said we find favor with God when we do what is right and suffer through a trial with a pure heart.
Extending favor to others motivated by a heart of goodwill is a key we carry that has the potential to open doors inaccessible by any other means. It can open closed doors of the heart and reestablish broken relationships. It is a weapon of spiritual warfare. God’s favor is something we declare over reluctant individuals and wayward nations.
Today, look for the most unfavorable situation in your life and insert the key of favor into the lock. Be bold and creative as you follow the Spirit’s lead. When you turn the key expect to see a miraculous intervention of God take place opening doors you were told would never open. On the other side of that open door are restorations and expressions of freedom only possible when the favor of God has been extended.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins
Featured Image by Felix Wolf from Pixabay
