11/02/2024
Today let’s contemplate the rewards that come from God... what is His promise regarding them, how do we receive them, and what are they? This is a massive subject because God desires to heap rewards upon us both physically, spiritually, and in heaven. This was prophesied in regards to the coming of Jesus, and then made so.
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Psalms 84:11 ESV
We already know the story regarding praying openly on the street corner for all to see, and understand that by doing so we receive our reward from men and not God. Here is a scriptural reminder…
“"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:2 ESV
The things which God rewards us for are those done humbly and quietly for Him, and within His will and guidance. God's rewards come as a result of serving Him... not seeking the adoration or acknowledgement of those around us. Those things done for fame, or the praise of others, are of pride and not of God.
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:3-4 ESV
So, how do we go about doing this? How do we serve God and know that when people inadvertently see these things and honor us for them that God is still pleased with our effort? First and foremost He knows our heart!
“"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."”
Jeremiah 17:10 ESV
Following this, we must believe in Him, increase our faith, and seek to serve Him solely. Just as God sees our heart, we know it as well. When we are truthful with ourselves we know our motives... seek to please God and defeat the need for pride and self-admiration that lives within us. There is no room for two masters.
“"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Matthew 6:24 ESV
So, our desire should always be to serve God alone and to seek His aid in strengthening our relationship with Him through secret and quietly faithful prayer. When we make a show of our faith so that others will see us and praise us, then that is wrong hearted, and is counter to the relationship we should be fostering.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 ESV
Then, when we have done His will with a pure heart and for Him alone... He will reward us. He will reward us in a manner that we can't even begin to imagine. Sure, we will receive certain earthly rewards that will be apparent to us, but we will also be rewarded in spiritual and heavenly things that even our imaginations are not robust enough to fathom. This is our reward in heaven that we receive for loving, obeying, and serving Him alone.
“But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"—”
1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV
Rich Forbes
Prayer:
Thank you Father for hearing our secret prayers, knowing our hearts, and rewarding us with heavenly blessings throughout our lives, and personal relationships, with you. Father, help us to serve you and please you in all we do. When we pray let our motives be for your glory only, and when we give of ourselves let it be for your pleasure not ours. Lord, don't let us be like the hypocrites who pray openly on the streets and in the churches as they reap their reward from men. Father, let us deserve your love and be rewarded by you for the personal relationship we have with you, and you alone. As a father rewards a good child who has obeyed him, reward us, not because we have obeyed you out of fear, to fulfill some perceived rule, or because we seek the praise of others, but because we come to you with an obedient and loving heart, pure in its desire to please you alone… with no expectation of worldly honor, or reward. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us with a love that doesn’t need for others to acknowledge it. Holy are you who walks with us in the still of the evening, and along private passageways where we can be alone with one another, and openly reveal our deepest secrets. Merciful and full of grace are you who can take a sin that we have perpetrated for all mankind to see, and then forgive us completely without the world’s needing to know, or agree to. Our hearts are open to you, and no man can see into them; they can only see us superficially as if looking through a glass darkly, and without the ability to feel the pain and remorse that resides there. Which one of us would have forgiven the thief who was hanging on the cross beside Jesus, and then rewarded him with dinner in paradise? Who in the crowd that day could have seen his faith as you allowed Jesus to see it? Only you Father. And this is how you see us, and why we praise you, worship you,, and pray to you in secret… from the deepest and most secluded recesses of our soul comes our prayers and in them we glorify you. Forgive us today Lord, and wash us clean with the blood of Jesus. Know our hearts Abba, and feel the peace and joy that your slightest touch brings us there. Know that we expect no earthly reward as a result of our relationship with you, only love, and this from the depths of which no man can perceive. We expect only to love you, and yet you fill storehouses with blessings and rewards for us in heaven, and give to us eternally by allowing us to be in your presence forevermore.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Luke 23:34
“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 ESV
Rich Forbes