GOD OFFERS REWARDS

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11-12). "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets" (Luke 6:23).

Devotion 9 of 12

GREAT REWARD

A "great reward" is a transcendent one. When laid along aside of other professed benefits, it excels. It also goes beyond human comprehension. As it is written, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Cor. 2:9). That is the Apostolic confirmation of Isaiah's marvelous prophecy. "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him" (Isa. 64:4). If there is one perspective the contemporary church has missed, it is the greatness of what God has reserved for those who love Him. See to it that you are not among such a number!

God's people have traditionally suffered from minuscule views of spiritual things. Human wisdom has reduced God and His Word to the mundane, thereby robbing people of Divine riches. Our father Abraham was not only reminded of God's present relevancy, but of the future as well. "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Gen. 15:1). What an edifying thought: God Himself declared to be an "exceeding great Reward." He who has God has everything! Those who please Him see Him in this way. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6).

Because "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16), it partakes of Divine attributes. Not only does it contain warnings, but promises of great reward."Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward" (Psa. 19:11). Note that we are not speaking of mere reward, but of "GREAT reward!"

Those who dare to suffer for Christ will not be disappointed. The hardships brought upon the human spirit because of commitment to and involvement in the work of the Lord will not go unrewarded. Our Lord's words on this matter have a grandeur about them. "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Matt. 5:11-12). "Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets" (Luke 6:23). It is not possible to endure persecution or opposition without due consideration of the appointed reward for such endurance. Notice that the reward is "in heaven." It will not be obtained until we leave earth and enter fully into the eternal domain.

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil" (Luke 6:35). There is no secular university in the country that would embrace this view. It is thoroughly unworldly, and set in opposition to the philosophy of this world. Legitimate self interest does not exclude efforts that benefit other people; in fact, that is the incentive that provokes the godly to invest of their time and resources in others. In such activities, they do not hope for reciprocal action on the part of those they benefit.

People living for God need to be comforted; strengthened by sound words and the recollection of settled realities. The entire realm of the seen, together with natural propensities within, contradict the promises of God. Satan extends himself to rob us of the persuasion that "God is, and is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." But we must not allow this to happen. Listen to the admonition of the Spirit, and notice the appeal to the profit motive. "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward" (Heb. 10:35).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, deliver me from small thinking concerning Yourself, and the great reward you have reserved for those within Your fellowship!

-- TOMORROW: REWARDED PUBLICLY --