God is my Shield and Reward
Genesis 15:1 NKJV
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
Genesis 15:1 NLT
Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great."
When we rescued our dog from the "Last Chance" home we became his protection. We undertook to look after him for the rest of his life.
Furthermore, we shared with him food, his own and ours too. We gave him a cosy bed and we take him for walks... We became his reward.
At first he was a bit aloof and suspicious of others, but, with loving tender care, his nature has blossomed out to a friendly one.
It's kind of a picture of what our Heavenly Father does for us when Jesus rescues us from sin. We were lost, without protection or hope beyond this life.
It's amazing, in our Lord we have the very Essence of Protection and He, in Himself, is our Reward.... not just a reward, but exceedingly great Reward.
People may say "What's in it for me?" when being presented with the Gospel of Jesus - we see even in the Old Covenant there was a great deal "in it for me"! But the New Covenant goes much further and reaches to the uttermost...
Hebrews 7:25 NKJV
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
No one is beyond the reach of the New Covenant... the worst, most vile offender, who truly believes, can be saved, made whole and forgiven.
As the old hymn says:
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood
To every believer the promise of God
The vilest offender who truly believes
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives
Yes, there's more than I can ever know "in it for me"...
1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
Selah
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