Today’s devotion comes from Nehemiah 5:14-19.
“Moreover, from the day that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, for twelve years, neither I nor my kinsmen have eaten the governor’s food allowance. But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God. I also applied myself to the work on this wall; we did not buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. Moreover, there were at my table one hundred and fifty Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. Now that which was prepared for each day was one ox and six choice sheep, also birds were prepared for me; and once in ten days all sorts of wine were furnished in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the governor’s food allowance, because the servitude was heavy on this people. Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.” Nehemiah 5:14-19.
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Today’s Scripture, particularly Nehemiah’s request to God highlighted above, leads us to meditate on a few Scriptures on how much God assures us that He gives us a reward.
First of all, it is amazing that God encourages us to meditate on His reward to such an extent that God defines faith in terms of doing so. “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.
Second, it is amazing that God defends His character by His willingness to reward. “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.” Hebrews 6:10.
Third, it is amazing that in strongly assuring us of giving us a reward, God calls us His “field”, His “building”, and joins us together as “fellow workers”. “Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:8-9.
Fourth, it is amazing that even when we see wickedness, God assures us of His reward which includes punishing the wicked and which includes being aware of the sharp distinction between God’s mercy and riches for us (“vessels of mercy”) and God’s wrath and punishment of the wicked.
“10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
Surely there is a God who judges on earth!” Psalm 58:10-11.
“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.” Romans 9:22-24.
In conclusion, we should not think that we earned God’s reward. Here are some Scriptures to consider how extensive and how gracious God’s reward is.
In Jesus’ Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, each of the laborers received the same one reward, namely one denarius (so to speak, a just and exact amount of money for a full day’s labor) but which some of the laborers complained: “These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.” Jesus answered: “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ So the last shall be first, and the first last.” See Matthew 20:1-16.
In Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, Jesus said the same thing to the one who was entrusted with five talents and brought his master five more talents as Jesus said to the one who was entrusted with two talents and gained two more talents. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:21 (five talents) and Matthew 25:23 (two talents).
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32.
“So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.” 1 Corinthians 3:21-23.
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” Revelation 22:12-15.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 