RECEIVING PRAISE FROM GOD

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God" (1 Cor 4:5, NKJV).

Devotion 5 of 5

GOOD AND FAITHFUL

The thought of having the Almighty assess YOU as a "good and faithful servant" is precious. These words will be heard by all that "kept the faith." The same God that says "Well done" of your labor, will have this to say of your person: "good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:21, 23, KJV). Luke's Gospel states it this way, "Well done, my good servant! his master replied. Because you have been trustworthy . . . " (Luke 19:17, NIV). If that sounds good, it is because it IS good! Remember, God "cannot lie" (Tit. 1:2, KJV). If this is His assessment of the faithful, it is the truth. Others may not recognize you as good and faithful, or appraise your efforts as "well done." But what matter is that! You are working for Jesus, and He will praise you at the appropriate time. Your assignment is to wait patiently until that time. It will be worth the wait.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAITH

Think about your faith. It is the most precious heavenly commodity you have. You are in Christ by faith, and Christ dwells in you by faith. Anything and everything you have from God, you have by faith. If you are undergoing difficulties, it is your faith that is being tested. But there is coming a day when the trial will end, and your faith will be praised before an assembled universe. Do not doubt it, God has spoken. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Pet. 1:3-7, NIV). When you read of the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -- the faith of Moses, Samuel, and Daniel -- it does something for your heart. Myriads of people thank God for those saints: not to mention Peter, James, John, Stephen, and Paul. We speak highly of these departed believers, giving them praise. Do not think they are the only ones whose faith will be honored and praised. Your faith will be duly recognized also -- by God Himself. When Jesus comes, if He finds you "cleaving to the Lord with purpose of heart," He will, without shame, honor you. Remember these words of the Savior Himself, and hold on to them until you go to be with Him. "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night" (Luke 12:35-38, NIV). Do not let Satan rob you of this divine commitment! He will attempt take this promise from you during your labors for Christ. He will attempt to drown out the words of Jesus with the words of men. It is possible for criticism to appear more conspicuous than promise. Those to whom you minister can sometime eclipse the One for Whom you minister. The rejection of men can often seem more weighty than your acceptance by God. You are engaged in a war, battling for your life. Stay in the battle, and do not become weary in well doing. In due season we shall reap, if we do not faint! It will not be much longer, and the Lord will appear. When He appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:4). He is not oblivious of your struggles now, and He will "reward you openly" in due time (Matt. 6:4-8). For now -- and only for the "now" -- you are cast upon the horns of an experiential dilemma. You are both honored and dishonored, accepted and rejected, praised and criticized. You are not in unfamiliar territory. Holy men have occupied it before you. Hear the testimony of one of them. "Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as un-known; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (2 Cor. 6:4-10). MAINTAIN YOUR DUAL STATUS IN HOPE OF GOD'S PRAISE! The work of the Lord requires a firm grip on confidence. When we entered Christ, we entered with confidence. Our commission is to hold it firmly (Heb. 3:14). You can come to the throne of grace confidently, expecting to receive what you need (Heb. 4:16). You can even enter the most holy place confidently through the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19). "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." (Heb. 10:35). PRAYER POINT: Father, Your promise is bigger than my heart or my comprehension. Enlarge my heart, and grant me grace, to see your promise more clearly and more consistently!

-- TOMORROW: New Series, THE HOPE OF GLORY --