There is a common thread that flows through the life of men and women that have accomplished great things in life. Although they may come from different cultures, have various education and family environments and different nationalities and social standings, those that have benefited and blessed the human race share a common personal foundation. They all live with a sense of divine favor and destiny. Their lives pulsate with potential and possibility.
Somewhere in the development of their life, favor and their destiny were infused into their very being. In Luke 2:52 we read that “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” In I Samuel 2:26, we that “Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men.”
What is the nature of this power and purpose that motivates and empowers men and women to rise out of obscurity and mediocrity?
Where does this drive and determination to overcome the negative circumstances and hardships of life originate?
These two verses of Scripture give us the key to the motivation and personal foundation of great people. They had developed an understanding of divine favor in their life. There is a direct connection to what they accomplished with their lives and what motivated them to those accomplishments. It can be best said this way: special people do special things.
Because it is much more difficult to succeed and prosper in life than it is to fail, those that have achieved and maintained success and victory in their life can only do so because of a strong personal foundation. This includes a positive self-image. It takes a special person — in Fact a Champion — to break out of the ranks of Negative Forces and Conditions of Life.
Joseph was one such champion. His father loved him and openly displayed favor to him. Genesis 37:3 tells us that the “coat of many colors” Israel made for Joseph was an outward sign of a father’s heart of favor and love for his son. God gave this favored one two dreams about being a mighty ruler. Because he was raised with favor in his life, he was a candidate for divine destiny through God-given dreams. And, although Joseph was greatly tested and persecuted, he held on to his dream because of the favor he experienced in his life.
Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. (Genesis 39: 1-5)
Although the young prince Joseph was sold into slavery, his dream was kept alive by his sense of destiny. Because he was operating in the Spirit of Favor, he prospered in a hard, difficult place. Things even get worse for our young prince.
Through the deception and lies of an immoral woman, he is cast into prison.
Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. (Genesis 39:20)
The Prince is now a Prisoner. But, although he is physically in a prison cell, he is still a Prince on the inside. In the worst possible circumstances, He refuses to live defeated and depressed, but instead becomes a blessing in the prison.
”But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.
Genesis 39:21-23NKJV
The Lord gave Joseph favor. As we read about Joseph’s prospering in spite of terrible opposition, we take note that God’s favor is what allowed him to prosper. Favor was the nourishment of his prosperity to endure and conquer the trials and troubles of his life.
Eventually the prince is released and realizes his destiny. Favor literally lifted him up out of the ruins of his life and restored and released God’s perfect will for his life.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 41:41-44)
Thus we see that: Favor is a spiritual environment that attracts and expects God’s blessings to flow.