May 20: Openly Rewarded
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
The decision to leave the life of sin is a type of “death”—death to old ways and habits that would usher “detours” into the life of a saint. Baptism symbolizes a new beginning after this “death”: resurrection to a new life. But, in this world, we are kidding ourselves if we think acute challenges to our faith will not cross our paths. Yes, there are perils yet to encounter. The path to heaven is narrow and precipitous, but it is a path trodden down by the footprints of the Savior. Jesus points to His role as the shepherd of the sheep in saying, “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” (John 10:4 KJV)
Perhaps you are in the midst of a painful trial this very day—one that makes it difficult to hear His voice. Jesus spoke to His heavenly Father concerning us, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15) We must make a practice of being hidden with Christ in God. This is how we will recognize His voice and be [kept] from the evil one. An essential element to this practice is our private prayer life.
“But when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6
We need to shut the door to a plethora of distractions when we pray: raw emotions, the cares of this world, and my own wandering thoughts will make an intrusion if the door is not shut. One “open reward” is a countenance of calm as trying circumstances bully their way into our days. This countenance is a special witness to others that comes directly from our secret prayer life. There is an inner peace in the fullest sense of the Hebrew word Shalom: a heart totally surrendered in loyalty to the King of the universe—in full agreement with His heart. This agreement with Him is based purely on trust, for now we “know in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9) but we understand that all is in full view of the Omniscient One.
“Your Father . . . will reward you openly.” Note the future element: will reward. Yes, there will be sweet blessings that come to us in this life because of our trust in Him. Our trust should be intermingled with thankfulness as we are careful not to take our blessings for granted. But eternity will be filled with rewards that are beyond our ability to even imagine. This is actually a good thing, because our current state of perception is susceptible to shifting exclusive focus onto the blessings and off of the Blesser!
It is His joy to give gifts and blessings. Too often I fail to receive certain blessings now because I am so easily distracted. One blessing that should be dominant in each situation I encounter is the calm assurance that He is with Me. You and I can know for a fact that He does not leave us alone to battle with temptations, to fight against evil, or to be crushed with sorrow. It is we who forsake Him, but He has promised never to forsake us.
“For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:10