Psalm 91 - Study 20 - A Sure Reward
We read in Psalm 91:8, “Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.” (NKJV)
The word that we will study in depth from the above mentioned verse is the word ‘reward’. For every action of ours we can be certain that there is a retribution. Let’s see what the word of God has to say about this.
The reward for praying in secret
Jesus said in Matthew 6:6, “But you, whenever you pray, enter into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly.” (EMTV)
In these trying times when calamity engulfs us, many have grown weary in their prayer life. God wants to reassure such that there is definitely a reward for those who pray fervently. The time we spend alone in the presence of God, behind shut doors is not in vain, for the Lord will surely give us due recompense and answer our prayers. Constant viewing of news on television and cell phones with its numerous social media apps has left the majority filled with fear and dread. The word of God reminds us that He is faithful and willing to answer our prayers that are being offered to Him in secret.
The reward for giving in secret.
In Matthew 6:3-4 we read, “But when you do charitable giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your charitable giving may be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will Himself reward you openly.”(EMTV)
In this passage we understand that there is a reward for those who help others in need. There are many people extending charity to those in want, but often these are done with much publicity on social media. The word of God exhorts us that our giving to others should always be done unobtrusively, for only then the Lord will reward us openly. Often we make excuse for not giving to others citing that we have limited means ourselves. However, it is good to remember that as long as we live on this earth, there will always be those who are less fortunate than we are. It is therefore our responsibility to do all we can to seek out such people and help them in whatever way is possible for us. Not only does God observe the giver, but also the heart of the one who receives it. He perceives our inmost thoughts and intentions, and when we do as He wills, the Lord will certainly reward us.
The man who prayed and gave alms
There is a record of such a man who excelled in prayer and alms giving in the Acts of the Apostles.
We read about him in Act 10:4, “And (Cornelius) looking intently at him (the angel) and becoming fearful he said, "What is it, lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.” (EMTV)
This man was Cornelius, who was a Roman Centurion. He was one in authority, with much responsibilities entrusted to him. He had under his command a hundred Roman soldiers. In spite of the position he held, Cornelius had time to pray and also to give alms to the poor. Cornelius was distinguished and stood apart from many of his contemporaries. His prayers and alms were noted by God and Cornelius found favor with God.
The life of Cornelius is a reminder to us that for every prayer that we offer to the Lord and every charitable deed that we do in secret, the Lord is mindful of and will surely call it to remembrance one day.
Not all soldiers were like Cornelius
We read in Luke 3:14, Likewise the soldiers also were asking him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages." (EMTV)
These are the words of John the Baptist to the soldiers who desired to know what they were required to do, to enter the kingdom of God. There were three things that John the Baptist cautioned them about. Firstly, they were not to intimidate others simply because they had the power and authority to do so. Secondly, He advised them that no one should be falsely accused and charged. Thirdly, he instructed them that they must learn to be satisfied with the wages that they received.
To those is authority, it is always advisable to remember that the authority they exercise was primarily given to them by God Himself. It is therefore important that we be faithful to God and also that this power be used solely for the purpose that it has been entrusted to us for. It is unacceptable for one to misuse this authority to ill-treat others. If we observe the three-fold advice that John the Baptist gave, we will realize that many have failed in this, have misused their power and position, thereby causing much pain and confusion. This does not in any way mean that all the ones who are in authority are unjust, for there are those who like Cornelius are fair and upright. Cornelius waited patiently and received his reward from the Lord. However, there are many who are impatient and want to receive their accolades immediately without waiting for God’s timing.
The righteous and the wicked will receive their due reward
We read in Isaiah 3:10-11, “Say ye of the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” (RV)
The above mentioned verse refers to two group of people that the world comprises of, those who are righteous and those who are wicked. To the righteous who walk in the fear of the Lord, there is the assurance from God that all will go well with them and that they will be richly rewarded for the good they have done. However, there is a woeful warning to the wicked who do not fear the Lord, for they will be paid back for all the wicked deeds that they have done. The common thread that runs between both these groups is that they will both receive their due reward for their actions.
That is why the word of God reminds us in Galatians 6:7, “for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (ESV) There are two seasons mentioned in this verse, the season of sowing and the season of reaping, and in between these seasons is a period when nothing obvious seems to be happening. For instance, if two people had fields close to each other and each of them sowed different seeds. Initially both will look the same, but when the time of harvest nears we will certainly make out the difference, depending on what was sowed. So also, for every deed that we do, there may not be immediate outcomes, but with time there will be a definite reward. The word of God encourages the righteous ones to keep on doing righteous deeds, and to not lose heart for there is a sure reward that is awaiting them from the Lord. So also the wicked is cautioned that there will be a certain consequence for their evil deeds too, though for a season it may appear that there is no repercussion in sight.
Mordecai and Haman - A fine example
We read in Esther 3:5, “And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.” (RV)
Haman was the chief adviser, who was next in command to King Ahasuerus, King of Persia. Mordecai was a Jew who sat at the entrance of the King’s palace. While everyone bowed and payed respect to Haman, Mordecai refused to do so, which made Haman furious and filled with wrath.
We read in Psalm 37:8-9, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil, for the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.”(ESV)
There are three words that I wish to highlight in the verse mentioned above, anger, wrath and fretting. Uncontrolled anger will lead to wrath or rage and if one keeps fretting about the situation it will surely lead to evil. The reward for evil doers is that they will be cut off, whereas for the righteous ones who wait on the Lord, they are guaranteed that they will inherit the land.
Instead of being content with his position and the honor that was his, Haman was enraged and obsessed with the thought that Mordecai did not pay obeisance to him. Haman’s anger ultimately became the reason for his downfall.
Anger is one of the reasons for division and disunity in the family, at work place and the church as well. There are many who are have harbored these insignificant hurts in their heart, which has led their hearts to be filled with anger and rage.
Haman’s rage turned against a people group
We read further in Esther 3:6, “But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (RV)
There seemed to be a problem between Haman and Mordecai, when in reality there was no serious issues between them. However, Haman was so filled with rage that he decided to take it out on the Jewish people, as Mordecai was also a Jew. Haman wanted to misuse his close association with the king, to get even with Mordecai. The wrath in Haman was so intense that he actually built a huge gallows fifty cubits high in his house, to be seen by all where he thought he would have Mordecai hung.
When Mordecai heard of Haman’s evil schemes, he clad himself in sackcloth and ashes and sought the Lord. As Queen Esther, Mordecai and all the Jewish people fasted and prayed, the Lord mediated to turn things around.
This is recorded in Esther 7:10, “So Haman was hanged on the gallows that he had built for Mordecai. Then the king's anger cooled down.” (GNB)
The very gallows that Haman prepared for Mordecai became his own death trap for he was punished and hung on it. Haman lost the position, authority and respect that were his simply because of his uncontrolled anger and wickedness.
There are those who use the positions that God has given them to hurt and destroy others. The word of God refers to such people as wicked and God does not approve of their evil intentions or deeds. God will assuredly pay back the wicked for the evil that they mete out to others. Mordecai reminds us that when we too are challenged with hardships or opposition that are too heavy to bear, if we seek the Lord in secret prayer, He will intervene to openly bring deliverance and display His might to those around us. Let us keep reminding ourselves that for every deed that we do, there is a sure reward that awaits us one way or the other. We must ask the Lord to help us keep our anger under check so that it will not ruin our lives or relationships.
In conclusion let me remind you of Psalm 91:8, “Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.”(NKJV)
Let us be certain that for every deed that is done here on earth there is a sure reward. The wicked will receive the right recompense for their evil deeds, but to those who chose to live righteously, the Lord is mindful of every good deed and at the appropriate time they too will receive a sure reward.
Let me remind you again of Cornelius the Roman Centurion, who prayed earnestly and gave liberally to those in need. In due time the Lord observed and gave him the appropriate reward for the same.
These are days when we need to open our eyes to see that the happenings around us are the fulfillment of God’s word regarding the last days. God has allowed these adversities so that we will repent and turn to Him. The word of God assures us from 1 John 1:9, “if we confess ours sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (ESV) Also in Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever covers over his sins does not prosper. Whoever confesses and abandons them receives compassion.”(GW) If there is any wickedness may we let go of it, and sincerely desire to live the righteous lives that God want us to. Let us not give room for anger to rule our lives, but bring it under total subjection to God. God grant us His grace to excel in our prayer life, and in being charitable to those in need, so that we too will at the appointed time receive the reward that God has in store for us.
Pastor F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins
