One must be careful with the Word of God. We must realise that we read the Bible through a specific lens that can skew the truths in the Bible. Look at the following verse, for example: ³⁵So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.

One can easily think that if your faith in God has no cracks, your financial crisis will be solved immediately. Your health problems will disappear like mist before the sun. Or that broken marriage will now suddenly be a honeymoon. But this is not what is promised here.

Obviously, God can make any of the above true in your life. He is almighty, but when we keep trusting against all odds, the main reward is that we are overcome with peace of mind.

Let me explain it like this. When I was in the army, I was never really afraid, because I knew our equipment and the knowledge that had been drilled into our heads had given us an advantage over the enemy. I had complete peace of mind and knew we had been well-trained for the work that we had to do.

The mere knowledge was comforting, but if I had been uncertain, which is to say if there had been a crack in my confidence, I would have been on edge and the stress would have driven me up the wall.

When my trust in God is without cracks, the net effect is that I can be calm in the crisis. The reward for firm faith is peace of mind, because God will protect me. He will give me strength. I know He will give me wisdom and that calms me down. That’s the first reward.

The second reward is the biggest prize waiting for every child of God and that is living with God forever. As the saying goes, our reward is: “Out of this world!” Literally and figuratively. Our reward is so huge that we cannot actually describe it in words.

Our reward is completely out of this world, because it comes after this world when our time on earth is past. Then we leave this world with its hurt and pain behind and enter a paradise that we can enjoy with our brother, Jesus, for the rest of our lives. The best of the best for all times.

When God sees that our trust in Him stands firm even when things are hard and we face one crisis after the other, He wants to reward us. He will even spoil us with rewards for part of our life here on earth. How can we not hold onto our faith in God?

Obviously, the opposite is also true. If people do not trust in God and do not acknowledge Him as Saviour in their lives, they will receive a reward that will cost them dearly.

May we never lose our faith in God and end up in the wrong queue with these people!

Scripture
Hebrews 10:32-39

Reflection
How strong is your faith?
What reward are you waiting for?
Who can you help to also strive for this reward?

Prayer
Father, thank you for this promise. Yes, sometimes my faith fails, but then I try again. You are the One in Whom I trust with everything in me! Amen.