Today’s devotion is Matthew 19:27-29.
“27 Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?”
28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:27-29.
Notice that Jesus does not criticize Peter for asking such a question about the reward. Rather, Jesus describes three rewards: sitting and judging on the twelve thrones, receiving many times as much as what they left, and eternal life.
In Luke 19:11-27, there is the parable of money usage. Jesus spoke of the reward. “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ ” Luke 19:17.
Hebrews 11:6 even includes such a belief that God gives rewards as an element of faith. “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.” (Emphasis added.)
Notice also in this Scripture for today that eternal life is not the only reward. Sometimes, I read writings that “only” include eternal life as the only reward for believers.
Scripture encourages us much about rewards. Notice how many references in Scripture that there are to rewards. Using only the keyword “reward”, here are just some of the references:
Genesis15:1 [Abram Promised a Son ] After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying,” Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.”
[ Rewards of Obedience ] “You shall therefore love the LORD your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.
” May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”
“For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely? May the LORD therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.
“The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
“But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.”
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on earth!”
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
[The Rewards of Wisdom] My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, How much more the wicked and the sinner!
The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.
The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life.
For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward.
Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.
Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him.
But I said, “I have toiled in vain, I have spent My strength for nothing and vanity;Yet surely the justice due to Me is with the LORD, And My reward with My God.”
[Rewards for Obedience to God] Thus says the LORD,” Preserve justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed.
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth, Say to the daughter of Zion, “Lo, your salvation comes; Behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.”
Thus says the LORD,” Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears; For your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD,” And they will return from the land of the enemy.
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
[The Reward of Service] “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
“He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
[The Disciples’ Reward] Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?”
“For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.
“Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
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.
considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
“And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
In conclusion, come to God in faith, not only believing that He exists, but also believing that as Scripture repeatedly states and shows: “that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him”. Thank you.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 