Be Strong; Your Labor Will Be Rewarded
The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them. In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD's temple. Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. 2 Chronicles 15:1-9
For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them. In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD's temple. Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. 2 Chronicles 15:1-9
God never changes His position. His love is eternal and unchanging. His Word is settled forever. His greatest desire is that we will seek Him with all our hearts and love Him with our entire being. As the Scripture says, "If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." For a long time, Israel turned its back on God and the result was catastrophic for the nation. They were in distress. They had no peace. They were attacked by other nations. But Asa ascended the throne and brought Israel back to God. He destroyed the false gods and idols from the land and God blessed the nation.
Taking a stand for God is never easy, especially when it puts you in the minority. Walking with God in integrity can be lonely and even discouraging. There would be times when you might even wonder whether it is worth it. There are times when you might wonder whether your work will ever be rewarded. Will there be any fruit to all your toil? King Asa must have felt that way until God sent the prophet Azariah to encourage him. The prophecy was: "But as for you, be strong, and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." It takes strength and courage to press on when there seems to be no light appearing at the end of the tunnel!
Are you on the verge of giving up? Is your assignment as a parent proving too heavy for you? Are the responsibilities of your job a little too burdensome? Is your ministry assignment and calling a bit overwhelming? Does it seem as if you are laboring with no fruit in sight? Don't give up! By the grace of God, the children you are laboring over will surprise you with great fruit; the job assignment will be successfully completed; the vision will soon be fruitful beyond measure! Be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded. The Lord will reward your labor.
Taking a stand for God is never easy, especially when it puts you in the minority. Walking with God in integrity can be lonely and even discouraging. There would be times when you might even wonder whether it is worth it. There are times when you might wonder whether your work will ever be rewarded. Will there be any fruit to all your toil? King Asa must have felt that way until God sent the prophet Azariah to encourage him. The prophecy was: "But as for you, be strong, and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." It takes strength and courage to press on when there seems to be no light appearing at the end of the tunnel!
Are you on the verge of giving up? Is your assignment as a parent proving too heavy for you? Are the responsibilities of your job a little too burdensome? Is your ministry assignment and calling a bit overwhelming? Does it seem as if you are laboring with no fruit in sight? Don't give up! By the grace of God, the children you are laboring over will surprise you with great fruit; the job assignment will be successfully completed; the vision will soon be fruitful beyond measure! Be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded. The Lord will reward your labor.
Prayer: Lord, I will press on to the mark of my high calling in Christ. I will not give up. Amen.