Your Work Shall Be Rewarded

Sometimes, it is just one thing that’s standing in the way in our lives that needs to be corrected.  It may be wealth, as it was for this young man.  It could simply be something from our past, that is still there, blocking us, that we aren’t even aware of, as we move towards wanting to please God in every area of our lives.  As we continue to pray and seek God, knowing that He will perfect that which concerns us, we will be able to walk in excellence before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Look at what the scripture tells us about Daniel and his character.  “There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadrezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; For as much as an  excellent spirit, and knowledge and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”  Daniel 5:11,12³

I prepared myself to resign from this area of ministry, what I would say and how I would say it.  I had already shared this with my husband.  He didn’t disagree with me.  I was thinking maybe because he saw the constant tears and pain I was experiencing every week and he just wanted me to be happy and relieved.  He knew about my past and what I had endured in my own personal life and in ministry, I believe he just wanted me to be happy.

 I cried out to God one afternoon and said God I can’t take this anymore.  I’m ready to quit.  I don’t have to take it.  I just don’t.  I’m your anointed.  Why, am I going through this now after I have obeyed you.  I moved to this new location.  I said, “God, I gave up the church I was pastoring and I gave up being near my daughters and I even gave up having the ability to watch my grandchildren grow up.  I said “God I gave it all up because you told me too.”  I have been obedient to your word.  God, you promised me you would bless me for obedience.  Why am I going through this – I am not happy and I don’t like being here anymore.

As I walked from one room of my house to my bedroom – The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said “Denise, for over twenty years you have been running from hurts”.  For over twenty years I have been trying to get you to heal from the afflicted wounds. Every time you would give up and leave the environment, before you could heal.  You would leave at the first sign of someone hurting you, you would leave before it was time .

God said “this time, don’t leave – my grace is sufficient for you and my strength is made perfect in weakness”.  God went on to say “treat this situation just like you would a natural job.  Treat this situation just as you would your worldly boss.  Obey those in authority whether well or evil masters.  I will reward you and you will pass the test.”