Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 6:9-12.
“But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:9-12.
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There are promises of God in Scripture that are expressly tied to or contingent upon some work of man which are sometimes called a “reward” in Scripture. We see an example of it in today’s Scripture. “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” Verse 10.
And, there are more general promises of God in Scripture that are at least not so expressly tied to or contingent upon about some work of man. We see an example of it in the Scripture that we will cover tomorrow, God willing. “For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.” Hebrews 6:13-14.
In today’s Scripture, we will review some Scriptures of this first group of promises, promises of a reward. And, so we do not quickly dismiss these Scriptures as “prosperity gospel”, but rather give these Scriptures a fair and full hearing and consideration, let us first consider the definition 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.” Hebrews 11:6.
“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.” Ruth 2:12.
“And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
Surely there is a God who judges on earth!” Psalm 58:11.
“11 Once God has spoken;
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God;
12 And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord,
For You recompense a man according to his work.” Psalm 62:11-12.
“18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life,
And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.” Proverbs 11:18-19.
“Adversity pursues sinners,
But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.” Proverbs 13:21.
“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD,
And He will repay him for his good deed.” Proverbs 19:17.
“The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches, honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4.
“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.” Isaiah 62:11.
“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.” Matthew 10:41-42.
“… the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;” Romans 2:5-7.
“Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:8.
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 