If someone came to you with the following proposition, what would you do?:

“I am trying to find someone who is worth the gifts that I have. I need someone strong and bold enough to uphold my good name; wise enough to not be taken advantage of; humble enough to be appreciative and not get caught up in status; and loyal enough to carry out my wishes. I will not show you your reward, but I will tell you about it. If you can believe what I say and persevere through several obstacles which will test you in all of these areas: strength, wisdom, humbleness, and loyalty, I will reward you with all of the things I tell you I have in store for you. I can give you land, a great mansion, and resources enough to obtain every desire you have ever had. All you have to do is trust what I have said and endure the trials which will test you to ensure that you are rightly chosen and will not be corrupted by doubt or temptation to give up or cheat me. If you decline, you simply will not get the reward and I will leave you as I found you.”

What would you say to this man? If you are like most people, you would probably take him up on his offer. Who wouldn’t? Just a chance of having everything you ever dreamed of is enough to at least try him on his word, right? Anyone would be a fool not to at least try to get through whatever his obstacles were that he set up! Friend, this is what God has been offering since he sent Jesus two millenniums ago… and yes, it is very foolish to turn Him down without at least trying to see if He is a God of His Word. How do we know this is what God offers? Some of us may wonder where the Bible says any of that…

The Bible is full of parables, instruction, and warnings. It is also full of promises and rewards. It is full of love and life. The Word of God is living water, which feeds the Spirit of man. In John 14:2 [show] In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (ESV)
, Jesus tells us, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” That proves that there is a promise of a great mansion. Deuteronomy 31:7 [show] Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. (ESV)
says that Moses told Joshua in front of all of Israel to “Be strong and of a good courage.” He said this because he was to go with them to the land God promised their fathers and that Joshua would be the cause of their inheritance. That proves that God is looking for someone strong and courageous; and that He has much for us to inherit. Daniel says in chapter 12, verse 10 that those who are wicked will not understand but will go on being wicked and only those who are wise will understand. This tells us God needs those who are wise. Matthew 23:12 [show] Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (ESV)
let’s us know that God has a plan to bless the humble, as Jesus states, “whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted. We know that God’s chosen people are loyal, as Paul instructs Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:3 [show] Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (ESV)
to take his part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus. And Psalms 37:4 [show] Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
says, “Delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

God has a plan to bless; but only when we are ready to receive those blessings without losing the elements that made us worthy of them in the first place. When you are enduring your tests and persevering through those obstacles which test you in those areas, remember, “The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late.” -Habakkuk 2:3 [show] For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
GW

* Written by Kathleen Robertson October 10, 2007