Not Forgotten

I know someone who has what it seems like hundreds of medals from the triathlons he has done. I once dared him to go out in public wearing 30 of them. I said, "Let’s go get a cup of coffee. Just walk around wearing them, and I will buy your coffee." He wouldn’t do it.

Personally, I have never won a single medal. Maybe your experience has been the same. But there is an awards ceremony coming in which those who have faithfully served the Lord will be rewarded.

Often we think way too much about the here and now and not enough about the by-and-by. But in eternity, there will be rewards awaiting those who have put their faith in Christ and have given faithful service to Him.

Jesus said, "For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me" (Matthew 25:35–36). He went on to explain, "Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me" (verse 40).

Think of all of those things you have done for God that no one ever saw: that sacrifice you made . . . that thing that you said . . . that person you forgave . . . that opportunity you seized . . . that gift you gave. No one saw. No one stood up and applauded and said, "Hey, look at what they just did!"

Here is what you need to know: God is watching. God is paying attention. God keeps very meticulous records. And God will reward you.