I wonder what will be and when will be my reward. It seems as though I continue to work only to be rewarded with more and more work. I feel as though there is no real end.
“1After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ 2But Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continua childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ 3And Abram said, ‘Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.’” — Genesis 15:1-3 (ESV)
Abram was feeling it too. He had done all of this work for the Lord and yet, was feeling no reward except more work. In fact he was holding God to it, as pointing out he had not been given an heir from his own lineage. As noted above, I feel the same way, that I am working constantly without reward.
Yet, God does not waver in His plan, in fact He lays the plan out for Abram.
“4And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.’ 5And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” — Genesis 15:4-5 (ESV)
Abram believed the LORD. Although God did not stop there. As He could tell that Abram was still in need of additional convincing, God brought a vision to Abram and proceeded to show Him that his future reward was far into the future.
“13Then the LORD said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.’” — Genesis 15:13-15 (ESV)
God had a plan for Abram that no one in this world could see. It was the duty of Abram to trust God and proceed with the work God had for him. In the end, Abram would be rewarded for his work even if that reward came over 400 years later, and if he would not be able to experience it in this world, but with God.
I have been blessed with a great number of things that may not bring about monetary or physical rewards in this world; Lori, Bryson, and Aarron to start off, and most of all, a relationship with Christ. Those blessings have brought me many rewards that I may not count as physical, but upon reflection, they bring me plenty. I am rewarded with the future with Christ and the knowing that I have done His work each and every day and been given the opportunity to experience the blessings of Him and my family.
My ultimate reward may not be something I can see in this day. But that does not mean that it is not there or to be seen in the coming future. It is my duty to continue putting in the work and knowing that God is my reward and when the time is come, through my trust and patience, God will reveal it.
What reward are you expecting today? Are you more interested in the today than in the tomorrow? What if you were to trust and be patient, knowing that God will reveal your reward in the coming time?
Trevor's Thoughts 