“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” – Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
Favour often appears when we least expect it. It shows up not because we are perfect, but because God is good. Psalm 84:11 paints a beautiful picture of God as both a sun and a shield. The sun gives light, warmth, and direction—it represents revelation, clarity, and divine illumination. The shield speaks of protection, defence, and covering. Together, they remind us that God’s favour both guides and guards us. He delights in bestowing honour on His people and withholding no good thing from those who walk uprightly before Him.
One of the most remarkable examples of being surprised by favour is Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26–30). A young woman from Nazareth—an obscure village with no special reputation—was chosen by God for a destiny greater than her imagination. When the angel greeted her, saying, “You are highly favoured,” she was troubled and afraid. She didn’t seek the spotlight, yet God’s favour found her. Favour interrupted her normal life and repositioned her for divine purpose. That’s how God’s favour works—it surprises the humble and qualifies the unlikely.
Consider also David, the shepherd boy who became a king (1 Samuel 16:11–13). When Samuel came to anoint a new king, David wasn’t even invited to the selection ceremony. But divine favour bypassed his brothers and located him in the field. What others overlook, God highlights by favour. David didn’t campaign for the throne; favour pulled him out from obscurity into destiny.
We see the same divine pattern in Ruth’s story (Ruth 2:10–13). A foreign widow gleaning leftover grains found herself noticed by Boaz. She asked, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes?” That question still echoes today because favour is never earned—it’s bestowed. Ruth’s kindness, humility, and faith drew God’s attention, and favour changed her story from poverty to prosperity, from widowhood to legacy.
Even Peter, the fisherman, experienced surprising favour. After a night of catching nothing, Jesus told him to cast his net again (Luke 5:1–7). Against reason, Peter obeyed—and the same waters that failed him before overflowed with fish. That’s divine favour in action—turning failure into fullness. Peter was astonished at the catch, because favour often overwhelms with blessings that break the limits of our expectation.
So, as you walk through this month, live in expectation of divine surprises. God has a way of showing up when your hope feels dim. He delights in turning the ordinary into the miraculous. Don’t limit Him with your logic. His favour can find you in unexpected places—at your workplace, in a simple conversation, or through someone you least imagine. The Lord, your sun and shield, will light your path and protect your destiny.
This October, expect surprise favour—doors opening without effort, people speaking on your behalf, opportunities emerging from nowhere. Favour is not random; it’s strategic. God uses it to position you for His glory.
Prayer
Lord, I thank You because You are my sun and my shield. You are the source of my light, my guidance, and my protection. Let Your favour surprise me this month as it did Mary, David, Ruth, and Peter. Open doors I never knew existed, connect me to destiny helpers I didn’t ask for, and cause honour to locate me. I receive divine surprises in my work, family, ministry, and finances. I declare that Your favour will exceed my expectations and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
