Doing Your Duty

The LORD will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness.  (1 Sam. 26:23)

How many sermons, how many lectures from an authority; how many reprimands have you heard calling you to do your duty?

How often, on the other hand, have you been reminded that, when you have done your duty, you will receive something of great value from God's hand?

Yes, when you do what God commands of you, you will receive something in return.  For your obedience, you will forever - forever! - receive honor from God!  Let that sink in. God will honor you for your obedience. You will forever know His delight, His love; His joy in measure that is greater than it would have been without your obedience.  

God promises these benefits as a wage owed to you. (The words in the Bible translated "reward" can also be translated as "wage" or "recompense".)  God does not break His promises. Neither will He leave Himself indebted to you. He will fill you to overflowing.  

Why will He do that?  Because He loves you!  He can't wait to shower His rewards for service upon you.  As surely as I, as a father, delight to make good on my promise of ice cream for my daughter's obedience in cleaning her room, so God will delight to make good on His promises to reward you.

He doesn't have to do that. He wants to do that - because He loves you!  You will never, never out give God.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Of course, we can obligate God to nothing; but God is free to obligate Himself.  And He does obligate Himself:  They are called promises!  We honor God when we claim His promises.  How could it possibly be wrong to want and look forward to receiving God's praise?

So, yes, by all means do your duty; do it with gusto and great hope and joy because God promises to repay your faithfulness.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.  You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.  (Psalm 128:1-2)


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