Understanding the Place of Favour in Success by Bishop David Oyedepo

favour in the success equation

Success in life is a direct function of God’s favour. Outstanding favour is what we call outstanding success; hence, favour is a fundamental requirement in the school of outstanding success. The dictionary defines favour as an act of kindness, something given as a token of love, affection, or remembrance. That is why Apostle Paul could boldly declare in 1 Corinthians 15:10: But by the grace of God I am what I am…. Favour delivers to us those things that by right don’t belong to us but which God bring our way just to prove that we are in favour with Him. For instance, Joseph had favour with his father.

 

He was the only child Jacob made a coat of many colours for. His father favoured him so much that he became the envy of his brothers. Every outstanding accomplishment in life is traceable to the flow of favour. The Bible records: We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them (Psalm 44:1-3).

 

Our blessings and liftings in life are all functions of God’s favour. Jesus was an outstanding success while on earth here because He enjoyed God’s favour which also brought about men’s favour (Luke 2:40/52).

 

Stimulators of Divine Favour

There are certain things that provoke God’s favour upon a man.

• Knowledge: We multiply grace (favour) through knowledge. As it is written: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2). The way of the ignorant is hard (Proverbs 13:15). Knowledge multiplies favour while ignorance equals hardship. There is no mountain anywhere; every man’s ignorance is his mountain. The Bible says: My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off (Proverbs 24:13-14). The knowledge of wisdom attracts rewards. We can’t find the good Word of God and not attract favour. Wonderful favours are attracted by the knowledge of the truth.
• Righteousness: Righteousness causes us to enjoy favour first with God and then with men. The righteous has a heritage of favour with God. God compasses the righteous with favour. It is written: For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield (Psalm 5:12). But, He is angry with the sinner every day. The Bible says: God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11). When we give in to sin, we step out of favour with God.
• The Anointing of the Holy Spirit: The anointing of the Holy Spirit carries supernatural favour. It naturally attracts favour to whomever or wherever it is found. When we are anointed with the Holy Spirit, we naturally smell of favour. It is written: Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour (Psalm 45:7/12). Thus, the anointing of the Holy Spirit puts on us unction for divine enabling.
• Kingdom Addiction: Kingdom addiction triggers divine favour. When we are addicted to the Kingdom of God, we compel favour to come our way. It is written: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33; see also Psalm 102:13-14). We may ask, ‘How do we favour His Kingdom?’ We do by allowing whatever is done in the Kingdom touch us and letting whatever affects the Kingdom affect us.

 

In conclusion, locate what to do in order to remain in this covenant with God and the rain of favour will not stop falling upon you. However, this favour is a common grace that has a price tag. It is not free; it is earned. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I know I am born again! For further reading, please get my books: Following the Path of the Eagle, Exploring the Secrets of Success, Success Strategies, Success Buttons, Success Systems and Ruling your World. I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners.

 

We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280, or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org; Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/;  Twitter: @DavidOyedepo