Rooted In His WordMinta

Who is it that finds favor with God? According to Isaiah, the people who find favor with God are the people who “are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). This does not mean that favor is something that can be earned by performing righteous deeds. Rather, it means that favor comes to those whose hearts are right before God. After all, it was Isaiah who also said that “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isaiah 64:6). If favor with God depended upon perfect obedience to God’s will and ways, then none of us would have very much favor with Him at all.

The person whose heart is right before God is a person who desires to walk in steadfast love. “Steadfast love,” in our verses for today, refers to our relationship to God and to other people. Deuteronomy 6:5 tells us that “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” and Leviticus 19:18 says “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” When our hearts are right before God our desire will be to love Him and His people. We may not always love as we should, but it will be the desire of our hearts. The person who has a heart for love receives God’s favor – and the favor of people as well.

Further, the person whose heart is right before God will be a person who desires to walk in faithfulness. “Faithfulness” also refers to our relationship to God and to other people. The faithful person stands firm when others give up. They do not quit on God or other people. When our hearts are right before God our desire will be to remain faithful to Him and to His people. We may not always be as faithful as we should, but it will be the desire of our hearts. The person who has a heart for faithfulness receives God’s favor – and the favor of people as well.

Let steadfast love and faithfulness rule the course of your life. People will look upon you with favor – and so will God.