HOW GOD REWARDS FAITH - PART 1

FRIDAY 13 MAY 2022

I have no doubts that God is extremely good to those who serve Him with all their hearts. The very secrets of the heart of our sovereign God are full of gracious thoughts for His true and righteous children. To put my communication into plainer words of grace, I have no doubt that God honours those who persistently serve Him in a faithful manner - with great reward. Those that fear God, as well as function by faith, doing His Word - shine in His strength; many crown of blessings rests upon their head and they increase with many stars of glory.

Reference: Hebrews 11:6 New International Version (NIV) "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Beloved, God indeed bestows benefits or reward on those who truly seek Him. For richer study experience, lets look at the word, 'reward' in Greek translation. Reward is 'misthos' and the study suggests benefits that fittingly compensate an appropriate action or decision. Your decision to seek God diligently and your corresponding steadfast action are on divine payroll. However, in the above verse, observe the adverb, 'earnestly.' Although some translations used - sincerely or diligently, 'earnestness' here signifies a strong desire for deep commitment to God. When a Christian has a strong desire to honour and please God by faith and it is demonstrated in his actions toward God, indeed he is earnestly dedicated to seeking or serving Him.

Serving God committedly is the anchor of the soul. It is an exercise of faith which is only sure and steadfast outside the realm of the flesh because no flesh can please God or glory in His presence (see 1 Corinthians 1:29 NKJV). This is why our referenced Scripture starts with, 'And without faith it is impossible to please God...' The flesh cannot do so because it doesn't submit to God. To please God with faith, firstly, it suggests that we have submitted ourselves to Him and to His will, and we hold constant fellowship with Him. Without these evident in our lives, we are not really walking with Him. No wonder our referenced Scripture says, "because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists", suggesting that they have an existing relationship with God, and so they believe He is real.

You can't come to God or walk with Him without believing that He exists. So faith is the prerequisite for walking with God. It is by faith we affirm that we are joined to God. It is by faith that our lives are all permeated with the divine presence and our minds saturated with Christ-minded thoughts. It is by faith that we submit ourselves to Him and to His will. It is by faith that we earnestly seek and please Him. Outside of faith, there is no spiritual cable that connects us to God. And this faith starts with the new birth, which is all about a loving and inextricable union with Christ. So our faith in God is significant because we maintain it in the world, full of doubt and unbelief when it has to do with God.

Beloved, God rewards those with faith that pleases Him. The Bible says, "And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith" (Genesis 15:6 NIV). Just like Abraham's faith was tested and God rewarded His obedience by crediting it to him as righteousness, God also tests our faith in manifold ways to see if we truly love and trust Him and He rewards it as an act of righteousness. In Psalm 18:20 (NIV), the Psalmist says, "The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me." Also 1 Samuel 26:23 (NIV) reads, "The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness...."

Since time will fail me to continue, for more insight, stay tuned for part 2. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Genesis 15:1; Ruth 2:12; Psalm 105:3-4; Colossians 3:23-24.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, I affirm with my whole heart that I serve you and by the gracious help of the Spirit, I refuse to wander from your will and every action guaranteed to delight you. My faith is the cable wrapped round the determination to please and honour you with my life. Therefore, by the assimilation of your knowledge, my faith is sustained as a fixed island in a world, full of ocean of doubt and unbelief. I'm forever grateful that my active faith is being constantly rewarded in Christ in Jesus' Name, Amen!