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.

 

Pray for our country.

 

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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