Payday – June 7, 2019

[Jesus said] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me.”
Revelation 22:12

Payday

Imagine for a minute that you have to do a terrible job for a year. Maybe the work is hard. Maybe it’s high-stress. Maybe the work is far from rewarding. Now imagine you are told you will be paid just fifteen thousand dollars for this year of work. How do you suppose you will do your job? Will you be excited? Will you be motivated to do your best? Probably not. You will be tempted to show up late and give it little effort. You may not even make it through the entire year before quitting.

Now imagine you are facing the same job, but this time you know you will be paid fifteen million dollars. Now, how will you do your job? Your attitude will likely be very different. You will show up on time, be excited, and even brag about how great this job is that pays so well.

Like a terrible job, our life in this world is often difficult. But Jesus promises that when this world ends, he will return and bring with him a reward far greater than fifteen million dollars. He promises to bring us to the mansions of heaven and an eternity without a single care or concern. Remarkably, he promises to give us this as a reward even though it is a reward, he won for us. Think of how comforting this is! It means we don’t have to worry whether we will be good enough to earn his reward. It means we don’t have to wonder whether we will receive his reward. He promises to give us the reward he has earned.

Let this be your encouragement during difficult days. Let it move you to serve your Lord with joy and excitement. Let it keep you from ever quitting. After all, a remarkable reward is on the way!

Prayer:
With everything that is happening in our busy world keep me focused on your return and the reward you will bring. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.