Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Favor.

Favor, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior.” It is also partiality shown to one over another.

We so long to have God’s favor upon our lives. The thought brought to mind Ezra.

Ezra was a scribe, who was educated and considered reliable to interpret official documents. He also studied, taught, and preached the Law of Moses.

Ezra actually arrived on the scene 57 years after the completion of the Temple.

He arrives with a job to do but more so, with a desire to fulfill his role as a teacher of God’s Word.

In Ezra 7, we read about God’s favor on his life:

“This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.” (verse 6, NLT)

“He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.” (verse 9, NLT)

The hand of God was on Ezra’s life and all he did and it was noticed by those around him. It was also noted in Scripture.

Scripture also tells us why this came about in his life:

“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (verse 10, NLT)

Here we see cause and effect; as we determine to study and obey God’s Word, His gracious hand of favor will be on us.

As we take delight in Scripture,
studying and obeying God’s Word,
His hand of favor will be on us as well.

Photo by Tetiana Padurets on Unsplash
Today I may be joining … Five Minute Friday and Grace and Truth .