TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016.
REWARD
A prize for merit, accomplishment or good conduct; to compensate for one’s conduct good or evil.
Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:4.
It seems that here in America that everything we do somehow involves us getting rewards in return. You go to some stores and they either give you cash back or points that you can combine with points you already have to get something free, but in reality you paid something for the item.
When you fly on airlines today they ask if you are going to use points. This is because every time you fly with that airline or use their credit card you get points. All of these “gimmicks” are put in place to encourage business. These are all better known as reward programs.
God has a rewards program far better than offered to us here on earth, but most believers seem to show very little interest in His program. Jesus often spoke of His Father’s promise to reward us for faithfully serving Him. For example, when we are persecuted for His sake, in other words for taking our stand for our Lord, Jesus tells us to rejoice for great is our reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12).
God wants us to give, pray and fast, not as the Pharisees’ did -- in public for all to see. He wants us to do these things in private, because “Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly in heaven (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18). The hope of reward has greatly motivated people to work hard and do well, but those whose desire is to serve the Lord are to do what they do from the heart unto the Lord and not for the praise of men.
We do not serve Jesus for the rewards that we may get for serving Him. When He died on the cross, He did far more for us than we deserve. Loyalty to Him and our service to Him are to be done as an act of worship that expresses our loving gratitude for His love toward us. In return, He delights to encourage us with the assurance that ultimately His rewards will outweigh whatever we have given up for Him.
So do not be discouraged if your faithful service to the Lord gets no recognition here on earth. Be assured God sees all we do and what is done for Him on earth will be rewarded openly in heaven. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven He said, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:12.
We should want to commit to live for Jesus every moment of every day regardless of the cost just because we love Him and because of what He has done for us. Have you thanked Him lately for the blessed hope of eternal life that has been promised to all those who love Him and acknowledge Him as their Savior and their Lord? There is no greater reward!
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalms 16:11.
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Help me to serve You today without any expectation of good words or rewards from the world we live in. Give me the tasks that You want me to accomplish that will grow Your kingdom and glorify Your name.
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