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How Can Finding Favour in God’s Sight Transform Your Spiritual Journey?

Explore the profound meaning of Exodus 33:17, where God tells Moses, “You have found favour in my sight.” Discover how divine recognition can transform your spiritual walk, featuring insights from C.S. Lewis, a meditation guide, and practical applications for modern believers.

A Rise & Inspire Biblical Reflection By Johnbritto Kurusumuthu

May 19, 2025

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will also do this thing that you have asked, for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.’” – Exodus 33:17

Wake-up Call from His Excellency, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Selvister Ponnumuthan

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, as the morning light breaks through the darkness, remember that you are not merely a face in the crowd to our Creator. You are known intimately, completely, and lovingly. Just as God knew Moses by name, He knows yours. Your struggles, your triumphs, your silent prayers—all are heard. Today, I urge you to walk in the confidence of being divinely recognised. Stand tall, not in pride but in humble acknowledgement that the God of the universe has extended His favour toward you. Let this truth awaken your spirit to new possibilities and deepen your commitment to His purpose for your life.

Rise with purpose, inspire with grace.

Understanding the Context: Moses’ Audacious Request

To fully appreciate Exodus 33:17’s profound significance, we must first understand its context within one of the most pivotal moments in Israel’s journey from slavery to nationhood.

The Israelites had just committed a grave sin by creating and worshipping the golden calf while Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. God’s righteous anger burned against them, and He threatened to withdraw His presence from among this “stiff-necked people.” Instead, He would send an angel to guide them to the Promised Land.

For Moses, this was unacceptable. In one of the most intimate dialogues recorded between God and humans in scripture, Moses pleaded with extraordinary boldness:

“If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the earth?” (Exodus 33:15-16)

Moses understood something crucial that we often forget: God’s presence is what distinguishes His people. Without it, we are indistinguishable from the world around us. Moses recognised that God’s presence was not a luxury but a necessity.

It is in response to this heartfelt plea that God makes the remarkable statement found in verse 17: “I will also do this thing that you have asked, for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.”

This response reveals three profound spiritual truths:

1. God grants Moses’ request for His continued presence

2. Moses has found favour (grace) in God’s sight

3. God knows Moses by name, intimately and personally

The Hebrew word used for “favour” here is “chen,” which implies grace, acceptance, and approval that is freely given rather than earned. It’s the ancient equivalent of saying, “I see something special in you.”

The Profound Meaning of Being Known by Name

What does it mean when God says, “I know you by name”?

In biblical times, names carried deep significance—they often reflected a person’s character, destiny, or circumstances of birth. When God declares He knows Moses by name, He’s saying something far more intimate than mere identification. He’s acknowledging Moses’ essential identity, purpose, and calling.

Throughout scripture, God’s naming or renaming of individuals marks transformative moments:

Abram became Abraham, “father of many nations”

Jacob became Israel, “one who struggles with God”

Simon became Peter, “the rock”

When God knows you by name, He recognises your unique design and purpose in His divine plan. This is not distant recognition but intimate knowledge—the kind that sees beyond appearances into the heart.

Consider how revolutionary this concept was in ancient times when most people worshipped distant, impersonal deities. Here was Yahweh, the Creator of the universe, engaging with Moses as one might speak with a friend, knowing him personally, and extending favour toward him.

C.S. Lewis on Divine Recognition and Naming

C.S. Lewis, the renowned author and Christian thinker, offered profound insights on what it means to be known by God. In his essay “The Weight of Glory,” Lewis wrote:

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest, most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship… There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.”

Lewis understood that God’s recognition of us by name elevates our understanding of human dignity and purpose. He further elaborated in “The Problem of Pain”:

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Lewis suggests that God’s intimate knowledge of us—including our names, our sufferings, and our joys—isn’t merely sentimental but transformative. When God told Moses, “I know you by name,” He was affirming Moses’ unique place in salvation history and divine purpose.

Lewis believed that our deepest longing is to be known and recognised—not by the masses, but by the One who matters most. In “Till We Have Faces,” he writes, “The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing to find the place where all the beauty came from.” This longing, Lewis believed, is ultimately a longing to be known by our Creator, just as Moses was known.

The Theology of Divine Favour

The concept of “finding favour” in God’s sight appears repeatedly throughout Scripture, from Noah (Genesis 6:8) to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:30). But what does it mean theologically?

Divine favour is not:

A result of human merit or achievement

A guarantee of an easy, trouble-free life

A sign of superiority over others

Divine favour is:

An expression of God’s grace and love

A foundation for an intimate relationship with God

A platform for fulfilling divine purpose

A source of spiritual authority

Moses’ experience teaches us that divine favour doesn’t exempt us from challenges but equips us to face them with God’s presence. After receiving this assurance from God, Moses would still face the daunting task of leading a difficult people through the wilderness. The favour of God didn’t remove his challenges—it provided the presence and power to overcome them.

Furthermore, divine favour comes with responsibility. Those who experience God’s favour are called to steward it well, using their position of spiritual privilege to serve others and advance God’s kingdom purposes.

Moses’ Request: A Model of Bold Intercession

Moses’ interaction with God in Exodus 33 provides a masterclass in intercessory prayer. His approach demonstrates several principles that remain relevant for believers today:

1. Boldness based on relationship: Moses approached God with reverent confidence rather than timid hesitation.

2. Concern for God’s glory: Moses’ primary concern was how God would be perceived among the nations.

3. Identification with the people: Despite their sin, Moses never separated himself from the Israelites, consistently using “we” and “us.”

4. Persistence in prayer: Moses wouldn’t accept a lesser answer when he knew God’s presence was essential.

5. Appeals to God’s character: Moses based his requests on God’s promises and nature.

Moses’ bold request—“Show me your glory”—which follows shortly after our focus verse, reveals a man who understood that intimate knowledge of God is the greatest privilege available to humanity.

Personal Connection: Finding Your Name in God’s Heart

In a world where many feel anonymous, overlooked, or reduced to numbers, Exodus 33:17 offers a revolutionary perspective: the Creator of the universe knows you personally. Not as a face in the crowd, but intimately, like a craftsman knows his masterpiece.

The question becomes: If God knows you by name, how should that transform?

• Your sense of identity?

• Your approach to prayer?

• Your understanding of purpose?

• Your relationship with others?

When we internalise the truth that God knows us by name, we gain a profound sense of belonging that transcends all other affiliations. We are not cosmic accidents or anonymous beings in an indifferent universe—we are known, named, and loved by the Divine.

This truth should fundamentally alter how we view ourselves. Many psychological struggles stem from identity crises and feelings of worthlessness. The assurance that God knows us by name offers a stable foundation for healthy self-perception that resists both pride and self-deprecation.

Meditation Guide: Experiencing God’s Personal Recognition

Take a moment now to engage with this powerful verse through guided meditation:

1. Preparation: Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Sit comfortably and take several deep breaths, allowing your body to relax and your mind to still.

2. Scripture Contemplation: Slowly repeat Exodus 33:17 three times, pausing between each repetition to let the words sink deeply into your spirit:

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will also do this thing that you have asked, for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.’”

3. Personal Application: Replace “Moses” with your name as you read the verse again. Allow yourself to experience the personal nature of God’s recognition.

4. Reflective Questions: In the silence, consider:

When have I felt truly known by God?

How does being known by God change how I see myself?

What am I asking God for that requires His favour?

5. Listening Prayer: Ask God to reveal how He sees you. What aspects of your identity is He highlighting? What name is He calling you? Listen for His gentle voice in your spirit.

6. Response: Close by writing a brief prayer of gratitude for God’s personal knowledge of you.

Remember that meaningful meditation isn’t about manufacturing emotional experiences but about creating space for a genuine encounter with God.

Video Reflection: Divine Recognition in Worship

The journey from being unknown to being known by God is beautifully captured in worship. As you continue this reflection, I invite you to engage with this powerful worship experience that emphasises God’s intimate knowledge of us:

Watch: Worship Experience on Divine Recognition

Allow the music to create a sacred space where you can personally experience the truth of being known by name. As you listen, consider how worship becomes more authentic when we approach God not as a distant deity but as One who knows us intimately.

Prayer of Divine Recognition

Sovereign Lord,

I stand in awe that You, the Creator of galaxies and orchestrator of history, know me by name. In a universe so vast, you have counted the hairs on my head and collected my tears in your bottle. Thank you for the profound privilege of being known by you.

Like Moses, I seek Your presence above all else. May Your favour rest upon me, not because of my merit but because of Your boundless grace. I ask not for an easier path but for the assurance of Your presence along whatever path You call me to walk.

Give me the bold faith of Moses to stand in the gap for others, to seek Your glory above all else, and to refuse to move forward without Your presence. May I never settle for less than the fullness of relationship with You.

Where I have built golden calves in my life—those things I’ve turned to instead of You—grant me repentance. Restore the intimacy that sin has damaged. Write my name not just in your book but upon your heart.

Today, I choose to walk in the confidence of being known by You. Not with pride but with humble gratitude that You, the Holy One, have extended favour toward me. May this truth transform how I see myself and how I relate to others.

For Your glory and my joy,

Amen.

Practical Applications for Modern Believers

How does this ancient encounter between Moses and God apply to our 21st-century lives? Consider these practical implications:

1. Prayer Revolution: If God knows you by name, your prayers need never be formal or distant. Approach Him with the confidence of someone who is already known and loved.

2. Identity Security: In a culture obsessed with self-creation and reinvention, find stability in being known by God. Your core identity isn’t something you create but something you discover in a relationship with Him.

3. Leadership Principles: Like Moses, effective spiritual leaders stand in the gap between God and people, refusing to move without God’s presence. Leadership without divine guidance quickly becomes mere management.

4. Relational Template: God’s intimate knowledge of Moses provides a model for our human relationships. Do we know others beyond surface details? Are we truly present with them?

5. Digital Age Application: In an era where algorithms claim to “know” us through our online behaviour, recognise the profound difference between data collection and divine knowing. One commodifies; the other consecrates.

6. Workplace Witness: Carry the confidence of being known by God into professional settings where you might otherwise feel anonymous or undervalued.

7. Parenting Paradigm: Mirror God’s personal recognition in how you parent, knowing each child by name, not just their physical name, but their emotional, spiritual, and personal qualities.

Finding Favour in a Merit-Based Culture

Our contemporary culture typically operates on merit-based recognition—you are valued for what you achieve, produce, or contribute. Divine favour operates on a fundamentally different principle: grace.

Moses didn’t earn God’s favour through perfect performance. In fact, earlier in his story, Moses objected repeatedly to God’s calling, even angering God with his reluctance (Exodus 4:14). Yet here in Exodus 33, God declares that Moses has found favour.

This teaches us that divine favour:

Is granted, not earned

Flows from relationship, not performance

Serves God’s purposes, not our status

In practical terms, living in divine favour means:

Approaching God with confidence despite our imperfections

Basing our worth on God’s declaration, not others’ evaluations

Extending the same grace-based recognition to others

When we understand that God’s favour rests on us because of His choice rather than our merit, we’re freed from the exhausting cycle of performance-based identity.

The Progressive Revelation of God’s Name

There’s a fascinating connection between God knowing Moses “by name” and the progressive revelation of God’s own name throughout Exodus.

In Exodus 3, God reveals Himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM” (YHWH). In Exodus 33-34, immediately following our focus verse, Moses asks to see God’s glory, and God proclaims His name again—this time with greater detail about His character:

“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” (Exodus 34:6-7)

This progression suggests that truly knowing someone by name involves ever-deepening revelation of character. Similarly, as God knows us by name, He invites us into increasing knowledge of His name—His character, ways, and heart.

This reciprocal knowing—God knowing us and us knowing God—is the essence of eternal life according to Jesus: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Theological Implications: From Moses to Christ

The intimacy Moses experienced with God foreshadowed an even greater intimacy available through Christ. Consider these theological connections:

1. Mediatorial Role: Moses stood between God and Israel as a mediator. Jesus became the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).

2. Face-to-Face Communication: Moses spoke with God “face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11). In Christ, we have direct access to God’s presence (Hebrews 4:16).

3. Divine Glory: Moses asked to see God’s glory and saw a portion. In Jesus, “we have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son” (John 1:14).

4. Name Recognition: God knew Moses by name. Jesus said of His followers, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14).

The profound intimacy Moses experienced with God becomes universally available through Christ. We are all invited into this divine recognition and favour through faith in Jesus.

 Scripture Explained

Q: How did Moses find favour with God in the first place?

A: Scripture doesn’t explicitly state how Moses initially found favour, but it appears connected to his humility, obedience, and desire for God’s presence above all else. Divine favour is ultimately an expression of God’s grace rather than human achievement.

Q: Does God know everyone by name or just certain individuals like Moses?

A: Biblically, God knows everyone intimately. Jesus teaches that God has numbered even the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). However, there’s a difference between God’s omniscient knowledge of all people and the intimate relational knowing that comes through covenant relationship.

Q: How can I know if I’ve found favour in God’s sight?

A: Scripture teaches that all who are in Christ have found favour with God through Him. Ephesians 1:6 says God has “freely given us his glorious grace in the Beloved.” The evidence of this favour isn’t necessarily material prosperity but the presence of God’s Spirit, peace that transcends understanding, and transformation into Christ’s likeness.

Q: What’s the relationship between divine favour and suffering?

A: Divine favour doesn’t exempt believers from suffering. Moses experienced tremendous challenges despite God’s favour. Rather, God’s favour provides the presence and strength needed to endure suffering meaningfully. As Paul discovered, God’s grace is sufficient in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Q: How is finding “favour in God’s sight” different from the prosperity gospel?

A: The prosperity gospel often reduces divine favour to material blessings and comfort. Biblical favour primarily concerns the relationship with God and spiritual empowerment for divine purposes, which may include suffering for righteousness’ sake.

Q: Can God’s favour be lost once it’s given?

A:This question touches on deeper theological discussions about eternal security. What’s clear from Moses’ example is that God’s favour remained despite Moses’ imperfections. In Christ, our salvation is secure not because of our performance but because of God’s faithfulness.

A Modern Testimony of Being Known by Name—

A missionary serving in restricted regions of Central Asia shares this testimony:

“During my third year in the field, I experienced the darkest spiritual night of my life. Isolation, persecution, and seeming fruitlessness led me to question everything. One night, overwhelmed by loneliness, I cried out to God, feeling completely forgotten.

As I finally fell asleep, I had a dream so vivid it’s stayed with me for years. In the dream, I heard a voice call my name—not just my first name but my full name, including middle names that few people know. The voice then said, ‘I know where you are, I see what you’re doing, and I am pleased.’

I woke immediately, my pillow wet with tears, but my heart filled with indescribable peace. Nothing had changed in my circumstances, but everything had changed in my perspective. Being known by name by the God of the universe transformed my entire approach to ministry.

What I’ve learned is that divine recognition doesn’t always change our situation—it changes us in the situation. And that makes all the difference.”

Reflection for Rise & Inspire Readers

As we conclude this reflection on divine recognition and favour, consider these questions:

1. What would change in your life if you fully embraced the truth that God knows you by name?

2. Like Moses, what bold request might God be inviting you to make based on His favour toward you?

3. In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn what God freely gives through grace?

4. How might you extend the gift of being “known by name” to others in your sphere of influence?

5. What “golden calves” in your life might be hindering the intimacy God desires with you?

Today’s Action Step: Practice Divine Recognition

Today, I challenge you to practice what I call “divine recognition” with at least three people in your life:

1. Truly see them beyond superficial interactions

2. Speak their name with intentionality and presence

3. Acknowledge something specific you value about them

4. Listen to them as if nothing else matters in that moment

In doing so, you’ll mirror something of God’s knowing presence to others who, like all of us, long to be truly seen and known.

Remember, in a world that often makes people feel anonymous, the simple act of truly knowing someone by name can be spiritually revolutionary. As God told Moses, “I know you by name”—may we extend that same gift of recognition to others, allowing God’s knowing presence to flow through us.

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