Faithfully Humble, Our Ultimate Reward Is In Heaven

"Today's Devotion" For September 26, 2005

Read: Matthew 6:16-18; II Samuel 12:13-23

FAITHFULLY HUMBLE, OUR ULTIMATE REWARD IS IN HEAVEN

"...and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."(Mt. 6:18b)

One of the most common forms of acknowledgment in the Navy is a Letter of Appreciation. A Letter of Appreciation is an acknowledgment that a member of the United States Navy has done something a bit above the call of duty. The next level of acknowledgment is a Letter of Commendation. Those who receive such an acknowledgment have generally gone beyond the call of duty and have accomplished something unique. Above this level is the awarding of medals for services rendered, the lowest of those being the Navy Achievement Medal. The other branches of the service all have similar award structures in order to encourage and recognize special accomplishments by members of the military services. If you will allow a personal observation - it seems that way too often such awards are handed out as if they were candy, not "rewards" for extraordinary efforts.

Such recognition should come as no surprise to any of us. After all we're living in a world that finds that the giving of awards is a profitable venture. Our television sets beam award shows by the dozens into our homes throughout the year; award shows that hold up the accomplishments of artists in radio, television, and the movies. Athletes, not to be outdone, have their "showcases" as well, including the presentation of the coveted Heisman Trophy in college football. There's money to be made from sponsorships and commercials in these award events, because people, starving for recognition themselves, often find their satisfaction vicariously through those who receive the accolades. Sadly, it seems as if doing good deeds, selflessly and humbly, aren't as important as those done in front of the cameras. Society seems to make heroes out of almost anyone who does something good or overcomes a problem, even though their problems aren't any different from those faced by each of us daily. All too often, the real heroes, who risk their lives and health for the sake of serving others, are ignored or overlooked because there's nothing to be gained by acknowledging them. We might simply summarize the issue by noting that we live in a world that gives rewards for good deeds performed, heroic acts accomplished, and political favors rendered. When people make any type of "sacrifice" for the "good of the cause" it has become commonplace, and almost expected, to advertise the effort and expect a reward.

Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting were the three pillars of Jewish piety in Jesus' day. In our reading from Matthew today, Jesus draws our attention to the third pillar, fasting. The Old Testament had already stated that God wanted people to fast on the Day of Atonement as a sign of repentance and sorrow over sin. In today's reading from II Samuel 12 David shows us the intent of fasting - a person's repentance and sorrow over sin. In repentance and sorrow over ones sins, the repentant sinner seeks God's forgiveness and calls on His Spirit to effect a change of heart for the sinner. Fasting was intended to be a pious act of a believing child of God, for the purpose of drawing closer to God. But, just as with everything else to which we human beings set our minds, fasting became an end in itself, and something to be highly advertised, highly regarded, and a sign of superior spiritual intellect. The practice of fasting in Jesus' day had deteriorated to the point that people advertised their "piety" by putting on sackcloth and ashes, looking gaunt and not cleaning up, and generally setting themselves up as paragons of piety and religious fervor.

According to Scripture, fasting had a place in one's spiritual life as it helped the mind focus on God's goodness and blessings, and the heart focus on "counting one's blessings." Yet, as Jesus notes, fasting had become an action of meritorious proportion to the Jews. It flew in the face of its intended purpose of repenting and expressing sorrow over one's sins. Thus, the act was intended to focus the believer's attention on God and His Will. Yet, all too often, the spiritual value to be gained from being a faithful "faster" falls by the wayside and all spiritual value is lost. Our Lord Jesus Christ calls upon us to do what is right and pleasing to God, not for show, but from the motivation of faith and love. We respond to God in prayer and sacrifice because of His grace, mercy, and love to us in Christ. When we take advantage of ways God shows us to deepen our spiritual relationship with Him, we take advantage of them without fanfare or any attempt at being noticed by others. After all, as Jesus points out, our Father "Who sees in secret will reward" us openly, so that others might see His hand at work and we might have a ready platform to share Jesus with others.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for giving me ways to practice my faith and to be strengthened in my relationship with You. Let me never put my devotion to You on display so that others might be impressed by me and not see Jesus. Guide me to seek only good things for others from Your almighty hand, counting my blessings as well. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, lead me, Father, to perform my personal acts of devotion and sacrifice in a way that is pleasing to You and unobstrusive to others. Help me to live a life in Jesus that is faithful and humble, knowing that my reward is certain in Him and the accolades and rewards given by others pale in comparison to Your precious love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*********************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.