Tag: Reward

Let God Choose

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Vance Havnerby Vance Havner

After Lot “chose him all the plain of Jordan” (Genesis 13:11), God told Abram to look in all directions, for all that he saw was to be his. Lot chose for himself; Abram chose to let God choose for him. The greatest choice a man ever makes is to let God make his choice. God’s people can afford to let Lot choose first; we are going to inherit the whole earth anyway. God is our Rewarder but He is also our Reward, even as He said to Abram, “I am…thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1). Blessed is the man who stops making a Santa Claus out of the Lord, forever asking for this and that, and comes to that better place where he can sing: Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest; Now Thee alone I seek, Give what is best.

by Vance Havner

Your reward is before you!

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George Whittenby George Whitten

Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, And His arm (z’roah in Hebrew) shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.

Revelation 22:12“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Isaiah tells us that the LORD’S Arm shall rule for Him and that He is coming with reward — and a similar passage in Revelation declares that the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) is coming to reward His saints.

We live this earthly life recognizing that we are “strangers and pilgrims” [Hebrews 11:13] in this world — but are working now in full expectation of a heavenly future. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world!”

We know we were made for another world, where the treasure we have stored while working here will neither rust nor corrode, nor be stolen. If you’re looking for a pat on the back now [not that praises shouldn’t be given or received], you’ve missed the point of ministry.

This reminds me of a story. There was a husband and wife who served many years in the ministry as missionaries in a far away land. As they returned to the States, the arriving ship was greeted by a brass band. Their initial thought was that this was an arranged greeting to honor them — but soon discovered that a dignitary was also on the ship. They collected their luggage and booked a cheap motel room. While sitting on the bed, the husband started to cry and said, “We’ve served God for many years. We’ve got no money, no house, and when we’ve returned home, there’s not even anyone to meet us!” His wife looked at him and said, “Hon, we’re not home yet!”

We’re not home yet! Don’t believe for a minute that your work in this world is going unseen in Heaven. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister.” [Hebrews 6:10] Let’s be earnestly seeking His praise that when we see Him face to face, He may say to all of us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” A true homecoming…and a true reward!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love

by George Whitten