He Is A Rewarder

Growing up, I always wanted to be rewarded for my good behavior because my dad would promise to do things with me — like take me to Disneyland — if I was a “good boy.” So, as you can probably imagine, there would be short-lived phases where I tried really hard to be well-behaved for a few days and then expect to go to Disney (the greatest place on earth) the following week. Eventually, it started to sink in that my dad wanted me to be good ALL THE TIME but that his reward wouldn’t always be an adventure to a “Magical Kingdom.” Thus, I cannot confidently say I upheld my end of the deal as much as I should have... However, we did eventually go to Disneyland and I wasn’t sure anything else could ever make me happier. Boy, was I wrong.

Some things never change. I recently celebrated my 60th birthday, and I’m still looking for rewards! Hebrews 11:16 tells us,

“...they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

I’ve discovered that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). The word diligence means: desire, crave, research, and worship... When we crave the word and worship the King of kings, we are rewarded with revelation — supernatural disclosure relating to God, people, and world events.

Wow! I am interested in this reward!

An example of this kind of reward is found in the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10: 38 - 42)

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

Wow. Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus hearing every word He spoke, giving the WORD OF LIFE undivided attention while Martha (thinking she was the responsible one) was TOO BUSY serving everyone else to be listening to Jesus. Mary’s reward was revelation on who Jesus really was — her Savior, her King, her Deliver (she also saw her brother raised from the dead) — and was discerning enough to realize what was really important at that moment.

I think the main contrast/difference between Mary and Martha was that Mary was a God pleaser first, while Martha put pleasing people (and perhaps herself) in front of God. That’s why Mary had a life of peace, but Martha’s life was filled with stress and anxiety.

We’re all guilty of letting our fleshy responsibilities and daily struggles take priority over things that bring us peace and life, and that help strengthen us to deal with the troubles of this world, but getting those priorities in order is KEY. I’ve learned not to deal with ANYTHING until I deal with God and put his word before all else. I’ve also learned that you will never be able to please everyone, but you can always please God by being disciplined.

Diligently seek Him,

The rewards will be priceless!

God bless you all,

Pastor David