For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:12, NKJV
Just when you think God couldn't be any more generous, kind or good—He shouts out even more good news!
Because you have believed in and acknowledged Jesus as the Lord of your life, you are now “in Christ.” Since you are in Christ, God has given you the free gift of righteousness. You've been made as righteous as He is! Therefore, you are “the righteous!” When you read Bible verses talking about the benefits and blessings associated with the righteous—it’s talking about you—in Christ!
In Psalm 5:12, we discover a major benefit for the righteous: favor! God blesses the righteous with favor. He surrounds us with favor as with a shield. We are surrounded with the favor of God front to back, side-to-side and top to bottom!
To be favored by God is to be given an advantage, to have an edge, to be given preferential treatment. God’s favor opens doors, brings unexpected blessings, out-of-the-blue "upgrades," and God’s goodwill with man and God into our lives.
We see example after example of the favor of God at work in the lives of God’s people throughout the Bible. Think about Joseph, and how God’s favor promoted him. Think about Nehemiah, and how the favor of God opened doors and gave him supernatural provision. Think about Esther, and how the favor of God caused her to become the King’s favorite. Think about Ezra, and how God raised him up to teach God’s people through favor.
In Nehemiah and Ezra, we see the phrase “the good hand of the Lord” mentioned several times. This is a reference to God’s favor and success. When the “good hand of the Lord” is upon us for favor—all kinds of supernatural things happen.
You are the righteous, and God has promised to surround you with favor. The good hand of the Lord is upon you for good. Believe and receive it today!
Say It: “Father, I thank You that You surround me with favor as with a shield. I am righteous because of Jesus and Your good hand is upon me for good things! Today, I receive Your favor, and I thank You that I walk in wisdom and I have favor with God and man. I thank You for open doors, advantages, preferential treatment, the supernatural edge and success—all because of Jesus and Your goodness! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
