He Is a Rewarder of Those Who Seek Him
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He Is a Rewarder of Those Who Seek Him
We are so impatient and easily swayed with doubts when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want them answered. We are no different from children stubbornly begging their parents for something very inappropriate and harmful. We simply don’t know what is best for us. But, God knows what is best — and we need to trust His almighty wisdom and love, as a child needs to trust the wisdom and love of parents.
The book of Hebrews gives a long list of God’s children who had faith in the goodness and wisdom of God. Their faith trusted that God would reward them with His saving presence as they endured all sorts of trials. So, Hebrews 11:6 teaches us,
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
We must believe that God exists. The knowledge of God is really all around us in the wondrous things of all creation. So, even heathens know that there is a God. But, we all have a sinful nature that wants to deny God’s existence, when things don’t go our way. Yet, God wisely demands faith. When we go to God in prayer, we “must believe that He is“.
If we go to God in prayer, without acknowledging that He exists, that is actually despising Him, even though we are beholden to Him for our very breath. It’s a rebellion — a rebellion that is in the hearts of many. But, all the children of God, who are listed as heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11, were not rebellious against God’s wisdom and love — even in the midst of severe trials.
They accepted their suffering, knowing that “He is a rewarder of those who seek Him“. They didn’t have a clue about when or how God would answer their humble prayers. But, they knew that some day, in the best way, God would bless their faithful acknowledgement of His existence and grace.
With all this in mind, Hebrews 13:9 adds some instruction,
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited.
Down through the ages, there have always been those who feel they need to add to God’s word. Not satisfied with God’s word that only requires our living by faith, they want to tack on various kinds of works that they imagine will make us more God-pleasing. They are not trusting that “He is a rewarder of those who seek Him“. So, they insist that we must hold to certain dietary rules, along with rules for worship and rules for everyday living.
But, all that denies God’s grace through faith. “It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.” It is good for us to be tested, hold to the true faith, and trust that God will do what is best for us in the end.
As we are tested every day of our lives, let us seek the LORD and know that His grace will reward our faith in the truths of His word and almighty love. In seeking God, we say, “Hallelujah! LORD, Your love, power, and wisdom are demonstrated in all of creation and in Your plan of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Open our hearts to acknowledge Your faithful love.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
at 123hallelujah.wordpress.com
see the calendar in the right hand column
for past devotional posts.
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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