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The Crowns Are Yet To Come

Sep 22, 2024 | Sunday Devotional

Second Timothy 4 7 -8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing”.

During World War 11 a young man named David Webster of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne wrote his mother: “Stop worrying about me. I joined the parachutists to fight. I intend to fight. If necessary, I shall die fighting, but don’t worry about this because no war can be won without young men dying. Those things which are precious are saved only by sacrifice.

Scripture often refers to the Christian life as a war – a spiritual battlefield. To answer the question of hymn writer Isaac Watts we will not be carried to the skies on flowery bed of ease. And there is no victory apart from sacrifice. Just as our salvation was purchased at great cost, overcoming the enemy and walking in the Spirit require that we be willing to give up some things in order to triumph.

Whether it is large or small, there should be nothing we hold so tightly that it becomes more important to us than pleasing God. Paul said that if he knew eating meat would create an offense to others, then, “I will eat no flesh while the world standeth.(1 Corinthians 8:13). Willingness to submit our desires and dreams to God places us in a position to receive His blessings.

Sometimes we may wonder if anyone notices, appreciate or even realize what we are doing. Elijah felt that way when he was standing for right against Ahab and Jezebel. He told God, “I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:10). Of course, Elijah was wrong – God had thousands of other faithful servants. But if he had been right and there had been no one else following God, Elijah could and should have done so.

Even when it appears that things are not going according to God’s plan, He is in control . You do not need to doubt or fear or wonder how things can possibly be fixed. The God of the universe, whose promises are as certain as the sun and the moon, will work to do exactly what He has promised in His Word.

There will be a day in the future when all of our efforts, all of our labors, and all of our sacrifices made in service for God will be remembered and rewarded. Whether anyone on this Earth ever knows your name or not, you can be sure that God sees all that you have done and will greet you with the words, “Well done.(Matthew 25:21).

Don’t Be Discouraged If It Seems That No One Notices Your Labors. One Day God Will Give Crowns Of Glory To Those Who Love And Serve Him.

Pastor Paul Okonkwo
Independent Baptist Bible Church (IBBC),
New Haven,
Enugu