Day 419 Do You Have Your Rewards Card?

It seems like every time I purchase something now days, the checker asks for a rewards card so that I can receive either an instant benefit or a benefit at a future date.  I have reached that point in the Bible and I'm excited. 

I've been studying the Old Testament lately and have worked my way slowly and meticulously through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.  So far, God has led His children through the desert and given them law after law after law to follow with the threat of some dire punishments if the laws are not followed.  Finally, in Deuteronomy, He starts to lay out the rewards for obeying Him.  Thank You Lord.  And there are amazing rewards.

He promises prosperity and good health and long life and all those things we long for but... it seems each reward is preceded by an "if" of some sort.   The rewards come with a requirement.  Some action has to be taken first. As Pastor RO often says, with God, it's like a checker game.  You move and then He moves.   With a rewards card, you have to make the first move and that is a purchase.  With God, we have to make the first move and that is to show our love and obedience and then we can expect the rewards from Him.

Does obeying Him and being rewarded mean that we will never have financial problems or that severe illnesses will never strike?   No and no.   What it does mean is that regardless what happens, we have an assurance that we are not alone and that He is there with us no matter what we're going through, and that He will never leave us.  It means that in the midst of illness, we know that He is working on our behalf to bring about a cure.   It means that even though we don't have all the material things we want, we are still rich beyond imagination. 

Obedience, in a way, simply means doing the right thing.   Sometimes, doing the right thing is not easy but as the old saying goes, it is it's own reward.  God has instilled that sense in us that if we do things His way, knowing what is right to do, there will be a great release of pain and anxiety and a huge sense of relief and reward.   There is no big secret to His reward.  It's all there in the Bible.   Just pick it up and read.   You'll be excited and encouraged and reassured that He is real and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  Thank You God.

Precious Lord, Jehovah Rapha,
You have made Your plan for us so plain and easy to understand.  We just need to love and trust You and open ourselves to Your guidance and then follow.  And we do.
We thank You for the miracles that are taking place every day as You guide the medical community closer and closer to totally defeating the enemy cancer. 
We thank You for the healing Spirit moving mightily within our friends Lisa and Tony and Bryce and Sadie and Frank.  Strengthen them Father to fight this huge battle here and give them stamina to overcome so that they may be witness to Your goodness and grace.
These things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen