Integrity Enjoys God's Favor - Devotional

GracetoYou.org ^ | 1997 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials” (Daniel 1:9).

God’s favor is the rich reward of obedience.

God delights in granting special grace and favor to those whose hearts are set on pleasing Him. For example, “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” and was spared the ravages of the Flood (Gen. 6:8). Joseph found favor in His sight and was elevated to prominence in Egypt (Gen. 39—41). God granted Moses and the children of Israel favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and they were able to plunder Egypt in the Exodus (Ex. 11:3; 12:36).

When Daniel chose to obey God by not defiling himself with the king’s special diet (Dan. 1:8), he demonstrated great courage and integrity. God responded by granting him favor and compassion in the sight of Ashpenaz, the commander of the king’s officials. The Hebrew word translated “favor” speaks of goodness or kindness. It can also include a strong affection from deep within. “Compassion” means a tender, unfailing love. Together these words tell us that God established a special relationship between Ashpenaz and Daniel that not only protected Daniel from harm in this instance, but also helped prepare him for his future role as a man of enormous influence in Babylon.

Today God’s favor is the special grace He grants His children in times of need. It is especially evident when their obedience brings persecution. The apostle Peter wrote, “This finds favor [grace], if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. . . . If when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor [grace] with God” (1 Peter 2:19-20).

Daniel knew that refusing the king’s special diet could lead to serious consequences, but he was more interested in obeying God’s Word than avoiding man’s punishment. He had the right priorities, and God honored his obedience, just as He will honor yours.

Suggestions for Prayer

Let the prayer of Moses be yours today: “Let me know Thy ways, that I may know Thee, so that I may find favor in Thy sight” (Ex. 33:13).

For Further Study

Read Genesis 39. What were the results of God’s favor upon Joseph?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[Jim W N]

By grace, HIS integrity and HIS finished works are ours (1 John 4:17). Because of his perfect work, we enjoy God’s grace (undeserved favor) for all eternity (Ephesians 2:7).

It’s not on us - it was ALL on Him at the cross - he bore it and rose victorious so now we live in victory, not because of what we do, but becaue of what he did.

Thank you Jesus a million times - thank you.

[metmom]

AMEN!

Because a snowball would stand a better chance in hell than I have of living a life that would qualify me to be in God’s presence.

[MHGinTN]

When receiving the teaching from John MacAArthur it is wise to remeber he is a ‘Lordship Salvation’ teacher and thus has that inveigling taint of works based salvation leavening his teachings. Try to keep the three tenses of salvation in mind to filter John’s words. The Justification tense is not something we can merit or sustain, it is a work God alone can do for us and once God Justifies us based upon belief alone in Christ alone there is noting int he next tense of salvation -sanctification- that adds to or earns or sustains the Justification since God alone can justify a man or woman boy or girl. We don’t earn God’s Grace, we accept it and stand on!