Theword

?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)

Pastor Ernest Martinez

The Community Church of Devore

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I trust that the Lord Jesus Christ is leading and teaching you more about His mercy and grace. We have seen so much in the last ten years as a nation we cannot fully appreciate the impact the events of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina have had on countless Christians. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ have lost homes and precious heirlooms and pictures. Many people have lost homes during the wildfires of Southern California. Tornadoes have left a path of destruction throughout the Midwest. Our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Iraq have given their lives for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Christians all over the world are living a life worthy to the calling to which they were called (Ephesians 4:1). God declared to Abram (This was before God changed Abraham?s name from Abram to Abraham.):

?After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."? (Gen. 15:1)

God is our shield! Shields are used for offensive and defensive combat. Many would think that shields are considered only a defensive item, and they would be partly right. A shield was used to stave off sword attack and protect from incoming arrows. But shields were also used to press forward into the battle. They do offer protection, but they also allow a big company of soldiers to press forward and cause the enemy to fall back or retreat. God is our shield! He is ever for us and never leaves us unprotected. God also tells Abram, and man of significant age who has no children, ?I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward.? God is not just a reward or a destination when we die, but He is our ?exceedingly great reward!?

Think about that for a moment. God Himself is our reward. Being a new daddy I more fully understand why Scriptures say: ?Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. (Psalms 127:3)? Children are truly a blessing and we do well to understand that truth so we can be better parents. However, God wanted Abram to know that God is more precious and a greater reward than children. Having a large family in some societies brought with it great honor and status. The more children you had the more honored and blessed you were. Abram had none. He was without children for 100 years and longed to see the promise of God to be fulfilled. God told Abram that he would have a child and through that child God would raise up a people who would bless the world. Jesus came to us through that promise. Jesus Christ our dear Savior and Lord is that exceedingly great reward. Though Jesus Christ is God, He chose to live as man to bring us closer to Him. He became our great reward because God is love.

We serve a mighty God and when we get down or discouraged, we look to the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), the Lord Jesus Christ. Should discouragement cause me to look away from my Savior? Why should hurt or betrayal cause me to look away from my dear Lord? Jesus has become my ?exceedingly great reward? and nothing compares to Him. When I am discouraged by my own lack of faithfulness I look to Jesus the author and finisher of my faith. I know He is the author of my faith, so I have to go the Author. He is my reward when I seek Him. I know that the reward of knowing Jesus better is greater than all the things in life.

So many Christians are enamored by the things of this world. Rather than their possessions being used for God?s glory they are used for their own selfish needs. The very blessings (life, spouses, children, friendships, Church, etc.) that God brings into our lives that are to lead us closer still to the Great Reward, Jesus Christ our Lord, are the very things we become attached to and which lead us away from our ?exceedingly great reward.? When those things get a hold of us then we can?t hear when Jesus tells us, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me (Matthew 19:21)."

We live in a time that is unsure and highly stressful. Unless our feet are planted firmly on the Word of God we will soon fall from exhaustion and confusion. Why are so many Christians depressed? They have not yet to come to realize the wonderful power in believing what God?s Word says and what it does not. Abram could have left the presence of God and never believe what God had promised, but He took God at His word. For us who are truly born again by the power of the Holy Spirit know what it means to look upon Jesus and behold His glory. We know that He alone is our ?exceedingly great reward.?

?We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.? (2 Cor. 4:8 ? 10)

When we look to Christ and realize that God is our ?Great Reward? we have all the strength and power to do the work God has assigned us. AMEN!

May the Lord Bless all of you.

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Published on: 2005-09-14 (5447 reads)