Jesus - our very great reward

"After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward." (Gen 15:1)

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."(Matt 5:11)

Christ himself is our very great reward. When we come to know Him, our sins are forgiven, our diseases healed, our life is redeemed from the pit, and we are crowned with love and compassion (Psalm 103). We are adopted into His family as heirs and co-heirs with Christ ...and we can come boldly to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:16). It never ceases to amaze me that having been reconciled to God through Christ, the Great God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe, invites us to seek an audience with Him anytime.

The Bible is also replete with examples of rewards which God gives His children when we seek after His kingdom. We can receive crowns, thrones, etc. One of my personal favourites is what Jesus says to the church of Pergamum "To Him who overcomes, I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it." Christ knows us individually, personally. Ps Kay-Cheong of One Thing Ministries said something that struck me: When we get to heaven and see the greatness and goodness of God, we will want to worship Him. We will want to cast whatever crowns we've received at His feet.

Prayer today: Lord Jesus, please help me run in such a way as to win the prize. For it will be a privilege and honour, when I see you face to face, to cast my crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." (Rev 5:11) Amen.