No Greater Reward

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.’ And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.’ And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:1-6, ESV).

Winners in Olympic games were awarded not only with medals. Their countries gave them also cash rewards. For example, for a gold medalist Singapore would give $738,000, Thailand $287,000, Japan $45,000 and US just $37,000.

Our government gave 10 million pesos or about $200,000. However, our gold medalist in the Philippines last Olympic was rewarded with the total amount of 33 million pesos, as other agencies and persons also gave something.

Speaking of reward, Jesus told his followers, “Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven…” (Luke 6:23.)

Does it mean we could not expect a reward from God here on earth?

Today, we will explore our topic…NO GREATER REWARD, as we focus on our text (Gen. 15:1-6).

As we proceed, we will realize that even during our time here on earth, we can already expect a reward from the Great Rewarder. So, what kind of reward can He give now?

In the previous chapter (chapter 14), we read the first war recorded in the Scripture. Four kings invaded Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, was among the captives.

We learned that Abraham had an active concern for his nephew. Not only he was troubled by what happened to him, he did something to help.

There was also acknowledgement of God on the part of Abraham. Not only he regarded that God was All-Powerful, but also the One who enabled him to defeat his enemies and save Lot. Also, the Owner of all things. So, he gave to the priest at that time the tenth part of what he recovered.

And finally, Abraham displayed his self-abasement. He refrained to accept the material possessions offered by the king of Sodom. As Abraham realized the great significance of God, he felt his insignificance.

Now, in our text, we read that the word of God came to Abraham. And what did God say? He pronounced a reward to Abraham. Like him, who was been elected by God, we could have the same reward. We could enjoy that reward not only in the age to come, but even during our time.

So, what do you think is the kind of reward that the Sovereign God can give you now?

I – GOD CAN REWARD YOU WITH CONFIDENCE (v. 1).

We read verse 1, “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’”

“After these things…” After God called Abraham to leave his country and promised to bless him. After he reached the promised land and went to Egypt and returned again to the place promised to him. After Lot separated from him and dwelt in Sodom. After the four kings invaded Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham saved Lot from captivity. After he turned down the material reward offered by the King of Sodom… After these things, Abraham again heard the voice of God “in a vision.”

He told Abraham, “Fear not…”

Abraham could fear that the four kings would retaliate against him. He could fear that any group from his place could attack him. He could fear that he was getting older and he had no offspring. He could fear that his riches would not go to his own child.

And the Sovereign God told him, “I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” God did not remove his fear or built his confidence by giving him many battalions of army. He Himself the Most High God, the Sovereign One declared that He was his Shield – His Protection. And Abraham was assured that he would have great reward. However, in the NIV, it was translated: “… I am your shield, your very great reward.” In other words, this Sovereign Shield – God – is the “very great reward” of Abraham.

Abraham would not have to fear. His confidence was not just rewarded to him. His confidence was in the Reward – God Himself.

In the 1st chapter of 1 Samuel, there was a man named Elkanah. He had two wives: Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. However, when Elkanah would give something to Peninnah and his children, he would give double portion to Hannah, because he loved her.