March 12 – The Key to Favor (Proverbs 3:1-12)

“You will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”(Proverbs 3:4)

IN WORD:
God’s promise of favor is a little suspicious to us. We’ve known of many faithful servants who did not have a good name, at least in the eyes of their peers. Sometimes they were burned at the stake, sometimes they were tarnished with false accusations, sometimes they faced firing squads. In fact, Jesus assured His disciples they would be hated by many. How, then, can Solomon, if he is at all inspired by God, promise a good name to those who write love and faithfulness on their hearts?
We do not read God’s promises with enough faith or patience. We must first know that the promise of favor with God is immediate. He never withholds His affection from those who love Him faithfully. It’s the second part of this promise we struggle with. He promises favor in the sight of man. Can this be true? Yes, if we’ll read it with eternity in view. Those who love God will have remarkable reputations in the Kingdom. Men will know that God has favored His faithful ones. They may not know it now or even soon. They may not know it before you die. But they will eventually know it. God has promised.

IN DEED:
We often get off track because we are determined to have a good reputation among our peers right now. Many a believer has compromised his or her faith because of a desire to be respected by other people more than by God. But love and faithfulness are selective. They cannot be directed toward God and toward our own present reputation at the same time. Compromise is deadly. We must be content — even thrilled — with the idea that God’s favor is our right now, and man’s will come later — maybe even much later, when eternity is revealed to all. Hearts filled with love and faithfulness will not care. They will be patient. They will know the promise of the One they love.

“Faith in God will always be crowned.” -William S. Plummer-