Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4
Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. Proverbs 6:21 (NKJV)
The Hebrew word chesed, often translated "mercy," can also mean kindness or "goodness." It is used of the faithful covenant love that God has for His people. Emet is the Hebrew word for truth. Today I learned that Emet (Eh-MEHT) begins with the first letter of the alphabet, continues with one of the two middle letters, and ends with the last letter. This Biblical Hebrew word therefore encompasses the gamut of reality. Encompass means to surround; it also means to have or hold within. Gamut is the complete range (not just in music) universal. The truth is looking at the big picture not just what is right in front of you.
When we take the mercy and truth and bind them around our neck (wear them as a necklace that we never take off) as a constant reminder and write them deep within our heart we will find favor with God and man.
When we take delight in the company of others it is generally with someone we are close to. Someone we can trust, rely on, and confide in. These are the people who love us just the way we are. If we have done something wrong they are quick to forgive. If we need comfort they are there. We help each other as often as we can and at times go above and beyond. Do you see where this is going? Who is your best friend? The answer should be God who loves us in this way and so much more. He is the One who will always be there in our time of need.
I believe God shows favor to those who make Him a priority, take delight in seeking Him, and connect with Him. Those who take the time to be still and quiet encountering His Presence waiting to hear from Him. I also believe He shows favor to those who are diligent in prayer and reading His Word daily. After writing this I believe God can choose to give favor to whomever He chooses. After all He is God!
Now let's take a look at what the Word says. My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being. This is the Lord's declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at My word. - Isaiah 66:2 (HCSB) For You, Lord, bless the righteous one; You surround him with favor like a shield. - Psalms 5:12 (HCSB) For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! - Psalm 30:5a For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. - Psalms 84:11 (NIV) And let the [gracious] favor of the Lord our God be on us; confirm for us the work of our hands - yes, confirm the work of our hands. - Psalms 90:17 (AMP)
There are so many other scriptures that contain the word favor beginning in Genesis all the way through to Revelation. Believe the fact that we deserve favor over your life! Then watch and see what God does. We are blessed and highly favored! Don't fret over such words as righteous because we are righteous in His sight. Blameless is something Jesus Christ covered for us by dying on the cross. Our slate is wiped clean and we are forgiven. Sometimes we don't feel worthy or deserving, but the truth is we are.