“Finding Favor”

Pastor Ben Johnson – August 31, 2025

Life is not fair, but sometimes it's not fair in your favor.  - Peter Ustinov

Ruth 2:2-13 NLT - One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it…”

So, Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.

Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?”

And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.”

Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.”

Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”

“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

FAVOR Is Not FAIR

God’s favor is Him doing for me what I cannot do for myself - protecting me, opening doors, and positioning me for His purpose. It’s Heaven’s Advantage on Earth. (Our Sacred Advantage)

I cannot EARN God’s favor, but I can POSITION myself to receive it.

POSITIONED FOR FAVOR

TRUST that God is at WORK in ways you cannot see.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT - Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Align my WAY to His WORD

Matthew 12:34b NIV - For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Remain FAITHFUL

Proverbs 28:20 NLT - A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

Be HUMBLE

James 4:6b NIV - That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Live GENEROUSLY

Luke 6:38 NLT - Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Go to work with CONFIDENCE knowing God’s favor is at WORK for you.