Our Great Reward
Genesis 15:1–21
Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. Genesis 15:1 (NIV)
This is a great promise. God himself was to be Abram’s reward. He is your reward also. Do you seek for things? Do you think that your reward consists of what you can earn? or do? or know? If you think that, you will certainly be disappointed.
To have God as your reward means, first of all, that you share in all that God has. Abram received many revelations from God during his lifetime, and many of these had a name of God connected with them. At one point, Abram came to know God as Jehovah-jireh, which means “the God who provides.” Here he came to know him as El Elyon, “the God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” It was this God who promised to be a reward to Abram.
Moreover, he will share heaven and earth with you, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that we are God’s children, adding, “Now if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). You are a co-heir with Christ. There is a great difference between an heir and a co-heir. If you are a single heir, you alone inherit everything. If you are one of four heirs, then you receive only one-fourth of the inheritance. If, however, you are one of four co-heirs, you inherit all, for co-heirs possess the inheritance together. In the same way, all Christians are co-heirs with Christ. All that God has is ours. We possess it jointly. And we shall enter into it one day as we receive our inheritance with Jesus.
To have God as our reward also means that we share in all that God is. We possess it in part even now. Many of God’s attributes mentioned in the Bible are to be ours in Christ Jesus. Is God wisdom? We share that wisdom. Is God holy? We share that holiness. Is God almighty? We share that power.
How do you live your life as a Christian? You can live it in either of two ways. You are already secure in God; you are anchored in God’s character. You have a great inheritance. But you can either rest in that or be fearful. You can watch the storms come, and say, “What will become of me then? What if I prove unfaithful?” Or you can be like Abram and grow strong in faith, resting in him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before his presence with exceeding joy. Is your faith like that? If it is not, God can teach you. Then you will grow strong in faith, giving glory to God. You will learn that what God has promised he is able to perform.
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.