Seeking Favor with God and Man
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Introduction

The concept of seeking favor with both God and man is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God while maintaining harmonious relationships with others. This dual pursuit is exemplified in the lives of several biblical figures and is encouraged through various scriptural teachings.

Biblical Examples

1. Jesus Christ: The ultimate example of one who found favor with both God and man is Jesus Christ. Luke 2:52 states, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." This verse highlights the balanced growth of Jesus in spiritual, physical, and social dimensions, emphasizing the importance of holistic development in seeking favor.

2. Samuel: Another notable figure is Samuel, who, as a young boy serving in the temple, "continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men" (1 Samuel 2:26). Samuel's life of dedication and service to God earned him respect and favor among the people of Israel.

3. Joseph: Joseph's life is a testament to finding favor through integrity and faithfulness. Despite being sold into slavery, Joseph found favor in the eyes of Potiphar, his Egyptian master, and later with Pharaoh, as God was with him (Genesis 39:4, 21; 41:39-41). His ability to interpret dreams and manage resources wisely further solidified his favor with both God and man.

Scriptural Teachings

1. Wisdom and Understanding: Proverbs 3:3-4 advises, "Let loving devotion and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man." This passage underscores the importance of embodying steadfast love and faithfulness as a means to gain favor.

2. Righteous Living: Living a righteous life is central to gaining favor. Proverbs 12:2 states, "A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil." Righteousness, therefore, is a key factor in securing divine favor.

3. Humility and Service: Humility and a servant's heart are essential in seeking favor. James 4:6 reminds us, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" Humility attracts God's grace and favor, which in turn can lead to favor with others.

4. Prayer and Dependence on God: Seeking favor with God begins with a life of prayer and dependence on Him. Nehemiah, before undertaking the task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, prayed for favor: "O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant... Give Your servant success today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man" (Nehemiah 1:11). His reliance on God resulted in favor with King Artaxerxes.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to seek favor with God and man by living lives marked by integrity, humility, and devotion. Engaging in regular prayer, studying Scripture, and practicing love and faithfulness in relationships are practical ways to pursue this dual favor. By aligning one's life with God's will and demonstrating Christ-like character, believers can experience the blessings of favor in both divine and human realms.
Subtopics

Seeking

Seeking God

Seeking God by Prayer

Seeking God in his House

Seeking God is Never in Vain

Seeking God: Afflictions Designed to Lead To

Seeking God: Asa

Seeking God: Blessedness of

Seeking God: Commanded

Seeking God: Daniel

Seeking God: David

Seeking God: Ends in Praise

Seeking God: Ensures: Being Heard of Him

Seeking God: Ensures: Gifts of Righteousness

Seeking God: Ensures: His Being Found

Seeking God: Ensures: His Favour

Seeking God: Ensures: His not Forsaking Us

Seeking God: Ensures: His Protection

Seeking God: Ensures: Life

Seeking God: Ensures: Prosperity

Seeking God: Ensures: Understanding all Things

Seeking God: Ezra

Seeking God: Hezekiah

Seeking God: Imperative Upon All

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: Christ

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Commandments

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Face

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Kingdom

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Name

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Precepts

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Righteousness

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Strength

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Word

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: Honor Which Comes from Him

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: Justification by Christ

Seeking God: Includes Seeking: The City Which God Has Prepared

Seeking God: Jehoshaphat

Seeking God: Josiah

Seeking God: Leads to Joy

Seeking God: None, by Nature, are Found to be Engaged In

Seeking God: Promise Connected With

Seeking God: Punishment of Those Who Neglect

Seeking God: Saints: Characterised By

Seeking God: Saints: Desirous of

Seeking God: Saints: Early In

Seeking God: Saints: Earnest In

Seeking God: Saints: Engage In, With the Whole Heart

Seeking God: Saints: Prepare Their Hearts For

Seeking God: Saints: Purpose, in Heart

Seeking God: Saints: Set Their Hearts To

Seeking God: Saints: Specially Exhorted To

Seeking God: Shall be Rewarded

Seeking God: should be Evermore

Seeking God: should be Immediate

Seeking God: should be in the Day of Trouble

Seeking God: should be While he May be Found

Seeking God: should Be with Diligence

Seeking God: should Be with the Heart

Seeking God: The Wicked are Gone out of the Way of

Seeking God: The Wicked: Not Led To, by Affliction

Seeking God: The Wicked: Prepare not Their Hearts For

Seeking God: The Wicked: Refuse, Through Pride

Seeking God: The Wicked: Rejected, when Too Late In

Seeking God: The Wicked: Sometimes Pretend To

Seeking God: They Who Neglect Denounced

Seeking God: Uzziah

Seeking Knowledge

Seeking Revenge

Seeking Wisdom

Related Terms

Asks (41 Occurrences)

Seek (368 Occurrences)

Miraculous (54 Occurrences)

Trying (68 Occurrences)

Generation (150 Occurrences)

Knocks (5 Occurrences)

Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences)

Opened (182 Occurrences)

Loses (17 Occurrences)

Injure (16 Occurrences)

Flea (2 Occurrences)

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Finds (71 Occurrences)

Receives (43 Occurrences)

Biblical

Adulterous (12 Occurrences)

Searches (11 Occurrences)

Speaks (109 Occurrences)

Safeguard (2 Occurrences)

Discerning (29 Occurrences)

Mouths (86 Occurrences)

Save (375 Occurrences)

Lose (59 Occurrences)

Sign (181 Occurrences)

Gain (142 Occurrences)

Honor (240 Occurrences)

False (303 Occurrences)

Preacher (27 Occurrences)

Door (249 Occurrences)

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)

Prophet (315 Occurrences)

Jonah (30 Occurrences)

Open (586 Occurrences)

Receive (350 Occurrences)

Diligently (85 Occurrences)

Yet (1244 Occurrences)

Quarries (4 Occurrences)

Volition

Naioth (5 Occurrences)

Understands (16 Occurrences)

Overseer (84 Occurrences)

Obtained (61 Occurrences)

Openly (52 Occurrences)

Outcast (6 Occurrences)

Justly (22 Occurrences)

Looks (76 Occurrences)

Gathering (71 Occurrences)

Worshippers (45 Occurrences)

Watches (23 Occurrences)

Wronged (22 Occurrences)

Increased (165 Occurrences)

Increasing (61 Occurrences)

Impoverished (4 Occurrences)

Friend (139 Occurrences)

Failed (58 Occurrences)

Flax (11 Occurrences)

Thronged (5 Occurrences)

Task (37 Occurrences)

Reveal (29 Occurrences)

Rot (15 Occurrences)

Rehob (12 Occurrences)

Except (236 Occurrences)

Easily (15 Occurrences)

Departed (270 Occurrences)

Definitely (4 Occurrences)

Obtain (63 Occurrences)

Plans (55 Occurrences)

Preserves (16 Occurrences)

Preserve (61 Occurrences)

Benjamite (15 Occurrences)

Benjaminite (9 Occurrences)

Brawler (3 Occurrences)

Builds (18 Occurrences)

Concubinage (1 Occurrence)

Consults (3 Occurrences)

Curse (211 Occurrences)

Cloudy (6 Occurrences)

Cause (1309 Occurrences)

Craves (5 Occurrences)

Seeking Favor with God
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