7 BUT AS FOR YOU, BE STRONG AND DO NOT GIVE UP, FOR YOUR WORK WILL BE REWARDED.’ 2 Chronicles 15
We’ve already read verse 15 this week, the final line of Azariah’s prophecy to King Asa after the victory in battle. Asa was given a promise from the Lord, but he was told, ‘Be Strong and Do Not Give Up’. He had to play his part, but God gave him His promise of blessing.
16 This is what the Lord says:
‘Restrain your voice from weeping
and your eyes from tears,
FOR YOUR WORK WILL BE REWARDED,’ ( During exile in Babylon)
declares the Lord.
‘They will return from the land of the enemy.
17 So there is hope for your descendants,’
declares the Lord.
‘Your children will return to their own land. Jeremiah 31
Even while Israel were in exile in Babylon, the Lord again spoke through Jeremiah to tell them, ‘Your Work will be Rewarded’, so easy to become despondent so far from home in a strange land. The promise was that their children would not only survive, but return to their true home in their own land. The God who sent them out was able to keep them and bring them back.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me. (Amen, Yes Lord)
20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands HE HAS REWARDED ME.
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord;
I am not guilty of turning from my God. Psalm 18, of David
David also speaks of the Lord Rewarding him after he was delivered from his enemies and the hand of King Saul. Our Righteousness is because we are found in the Lord and nothing at all to do with any performance or works.
11 Then people will say,
‘Surely the righteous STILL ARE REWARDED;
surely there is a God who judges the earth.’ Psalm 58, of David
David repeats this thought in another of his psalms, that God rewards those who walk Uprightly.
This morning I read from Paul’s writing to the Corinthians, very similar to the Old Testament scriptures.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, STAND FIRM. LET NOTHING MOVE YOU. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because YOU KNOW (We need to truly Know it!) that YOUR LABOUR IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN. 1 Corinthians 15
Israel, in whom I will display my splendour.’
4 But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
YET WHAT IS DUE TO ME IS IN THE LORD’S HAND,
AND MY REWARD IS WITH MY GOD.’ Isaiah 49