“…by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalms 20:10
Dear Ones:
God is a debtor to no one. On the contrary, He is what Scripture declares: “…a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6) What does this mean, and how does God reward?
The first thing we need to understand is the meaning of “reward.” In Proverbs 10:22, we read: “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.” What does it mean to be truly “rich?” In the Lord’s parables, He speaks of “hidden treasure,” and a “pearl of great price.” (Matt. 13:44-46) In both illustrations He speaks of one selling all that he has in order to possess that which is of greatest worth and value. Again, in both cases, the Lord speaks of the “kingdom of God” as being that which is worth more than all that one possesses, and is of such great value (eternal), that one is willing to sell all that is of earthy value to obtain it. How does this relate to “reward,” and being “rich?” It all comes back to heaven’s perspective, and the eternal value that God puts upon it. How then do we measure this matter of “worth,” riches, and reward?
In Matthew’s gospel, the Lord Jesus, in speaking of true communion with God the Father, in particular, in prayer, says: “…If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, HOW MUCH MORE shall your Father in heaven give GOOD THINGS to them that ask Him?” (7:11) We know that by the creation of the world, God is GOOD. All that He does is wondrous, and He is the GIVER of every “good and perfect gift.” The gift is an extension of what He is…and He adds no sorrow to it. So the true reward of God is intrinsically GOOD in its essence and objective. It is given to BLESS and make “rich,” but primarily, with regard to the soul of man. In Luke’s gospel, we are brought to see in another way how God “rewards,” and it has to do with the Holy Spirit, the very Spirit of Christ. Jesus uses the same terminology as in Matthew’s gospel concerning men being evil, but giving good gifts to their children. He then adds, “…how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the HOLY SPIRIT to them that ask Him?” (11:13) It is one thing for God to give “things” which are good and wholesome. It is quite another that He should give Himself, in the giving of His Son by the Spirit, to dwell in the heart, to be the Life of the believer. This “kingdom of heaven,” which is of such value as to move one to sell all that he possesses, to receive and own it, is comprised of that which God has made, but also, and primarily, of what God IS in His glory, beauty, goodness, and grace. There is nothing of reward, or “prize,” that is greater in essence, everlasting quality, beauty and goodness, that the Lord Jesus Himself. How could one ever be more blessed and rewarded than to know everlasting Love in fullest measure?
How then do we KNOW this reward on this earth? How do we become receivers, and participants of it? The first part of the answer has to do with seeking God. The Lord Jesus taught, “Seek and ye shall find.” (Matt. 7:7) There is an amplification of the promise associated with this command: “…and he that seeks WILL find.” (v.8) Throughout the Old Testament, and in the New, we are brought face to face with this fact, that the one who is led to seek God with the whole heart WILL find Him, the very and highest reward to his faith. The second part of the answer to the question of receiving the reward, has to do with faith itself. It must be noted throughout Psalm 119, that the Psalmist bases his faith on the receiving of the blessing, primarily with regard to God “reviving,” or quickening him, on the declared word of God. All is received “…according to Thy word.” (v.25, 58,93)
Dear Father, Thou blessed, and gracious Father, who art the rewarder of those who truly seek Thee, strengthen us according to Thy word. Enable us to receive of Thy fullness, not only with regard to “good gifts” by which we are to live and give to others, but by the very life of Thy Son, by the Spirit. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad