Favor Is a Two-Way Street: How God’s Favor Invites Us to Walk in Favor!

“For his anger endureth but a moment; but his favor lasts a lifetime…”Psalm 30:5)

We love the idea of God’s favor—His unearned, undeserved goodness, grace, and acceptance flowing into our lives. But what I did not realize is that in the Bible, the word for favor—רָצוֹן (ratson)—describes more than just what God does for us. It describes an interactive, relational principle that moves in both directions.

The Bible teaches that the same way we enjoy receiving God’s favor we can also bless God by showing God favor—through our offerings, attitudes, obedience, words, and actions—wow, what a thought – that you and I can show God favor!

The same word ratson is used to describe:

• Man’s favor toward God
• Man’s favor toward man
• God’s favor toward man

Favor is a two-way street. God is the ultimate giver of favor, but He calls us to walk in that same spirit of favor in our relationship with Him and with others.

The Heart of Favor

At its root, ratson speaks of delight, goodwill, pleasure, and voluntary acceptance. It carries the idea of something given:

• Willingly—without compulsion or obligation
• Cheerfully—flowing from a heart of love and delight
• Without strings attached—seeking to bless, not manipulate

This is how God favors you – willingly, cheerfully and without strings attached!

When the people of Israel brought offerings to the Lord, He required them to be offered from the heart, not under compulsion – with favor towards God. That’s why the Bible says that God loves a cheerful giver! Offerings were accepted and blessings flowed when given with ratson—genuine favor toward God:

“And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will.” (Leviticus 19:5)

“Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish…” (Leviticus 22:19)

In other words: God delighted in their heart of favor, not just their offerings given out of obligation but given out of the opportunity to show God favor!

God’s Favor Toward Us

The good news is that God’s favor is not reluctant. It is overflowing, joyful, and freely given:

“His favor lasts a lifetime…”(Psalm 30:5)

“In my favor have I had mercy on thee.” (Isaiah 60:10)

“To proclaim the acceptable [favorable] year of the LORD…” (Isaiah 61:2)

When we show God our favor—through offerings, worship, obedience, and kindness—He responds with an even greater outpouring of His favor. It is not a transaction, it is a cycle of favor! Favor is meant to flow both ways, fueled by love and delight.

Favor Toward Others

The Bible also uses ratson to describe the favor we show to one another:

“He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor.” (Proverbs 11:27)

“The king’s favor is toward a wise servant.” (Proverbs 14:35)

“In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.” (Proverbs 16:15)

Just as God favors us, we are called to extend favor—goodwill, kindness, and acceptance—to those around us. Jesus said it this way:

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

Walking in favor means being people of generosity, kindness, and goodwill—not holding grudges, not manipulating, but blessing freely.

Favor in Every Direction

When you study these verses, you begin to see an incredible pattern:

• Man can show favor toward God (ratson offerings, sacrifices, obedience, love).
• God shows favor toward man (salvation, blessing, life, acceptance).
• Man is called to show favor toward others (kindness, goodwill, generosity).

This creates a beautiful cycle of relational favor—just as God’s heart is to favor us willingly and cheerfully, we are invited to reflect that same spirit:

• Favor God with your offerings, your worship, your obedience.
• Favor others with kindness, blessing, forgiveness, and love.
• Receive God’s favor with humility, gratitude, and joy.

Conclusion: A Higher Level of Favor

The word ratson invites us to rise higher. It shows us that favor is not merely something we seek from God but something we are called to give as well. Favor is the language of relationship, of delight, of willing love. God is not a reluctant giver of favor—He overflows with it. And He invites us to do the same.

Today, ask yourself: Am I walking in favor toward God? Toward others?

As we give God favor willingly and joyfully, we will surely find that His favor toward us flows back in even greater measure—cheerfully, willingly, and without strings attached.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over…” (Luke 6:38)