My Rewarder

Publish date: 11/07/2005

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 NKJV

But 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 diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

Those who want to please God and obtain His favor must believe that He IS. Is what or is who? To please God you must not only believe that He exists, but that He is who HE says He is–not who man says He is; not who the devil says that He is. In human relationships, we make decisions to act or react in a certain way based on our opinion of the person we are interacting with. The more intimately we know and understand the person, the more accurate our response to them will be.

If you are trying to please someone and you know what makes them happy, sad, or mad, then you will tailor your actions accordingly. It’s really frustrating to not be able to figure someone out, or to not know how they tick. You never know how to please them. Some people live a lifetime with another person and never learn to please them. This is a very unsatisfying relationship for both parties. In order to have a successful relationship, both parties need to know each other well and to bend to accommodate the other person. Love, commitment, and forgiveness are crucial components in a relationship.

In your relationship with the Lord, you need to get to know Him. You need to get to know Him firstly through His Word–with clear, pure eyes, not with religious eyes or with sinful eyes. Religion and sin are both deadly to a healthy relationship with your Lord and Savior. Both of them pervert your view of God and hinder the freedom of your relationship and fellowship with Him. God is a good God and has wonderful plans for you. He has made huge sacrifices for you and continues to do so. He has done everything He can possibly do for you and He is waiting for you to draw closer to Him so that He can protect you and bless you and show you how much He loves you.

When you don’t understand God’s true character and nature, and when you don’t understand the love of God, you will believe that He is angry with you and against you. When you have sinned or when you are living in your sin, you will usually react one of two ways to the Lord–you will feel guilty and run away from Him, or you will transfer you guilt by becoming angry at God and blaming Him for you situation. You could not be more wrong!

People have a tendency to sin and then become angry and resentful toward God because He did not protect them from the mess they now find themselves in. You have a free will! You made your own decisions. You chose your own actions. God has nothing to do with the curse that is now on your life through disobedience. He has warned you over and over of the consequences, but you thought that the rules did not apply to you. You are responsible for your sin and you are responsible to make it right with God.

In Psalms 51:1-4 NKJV David proclaimed, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight–that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.”  

God is not your problem! God is never your problem. He is a righteous Judge. He is not willing to condemn you. He so desires to acquit you, forgive you, receive you to Himself, and bless you! You need to acknowledge that your sin and disobedience brought you to this place of frustration and defeat and repent. Then you need to submit your heart and life to the Lord, press into Him like you never have before, believing that He will hear you, meet you and reward you for your diligent seeking.

When you do this, you will find out that He is a good God after all. You will find out that He loves you, you will find out that He really is a rewarder, and you will find the peace and the blessing that you so desperately need.