God Will Not Forget You!

Too often we sense acutely—suspicion—folks are habitually taking us for granted…. They just keep expecting, requiring, and demanding more from us without giving much back in return. “Why are others so fortunate to constantly receive benefits at my expense?” You protest. “When will it be my turn to receive for a change?” You complain. The inequities are extremely annoying. “This is not fair!” You exclaim. It sounds like someone feels a little too much like a doormat, used, and perhaps even abused…right? Well, I have good news…God has plans to reward you abundantly! Since you have poured out your life to enrich others, He will compensate you accordingly. God promises to personally ensure all you do for His glory will be properly rewarded at the appropriate time.

A Clear Promise

Several promises have been issued in the Bible to challenge us Believers to become all that God desires for us to be. Such promises should stir us to journey onward and progress further in our Lord’s service. In Hebrews 6:10, the writer reminds us that, “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love”. God will not forget your service that is rooted in godly love (Heb. 6:9, 10).  He will not fail to recall your industrious exertions for His Name’s sake. In fact God upholds this promise with His own impeccable character and perfect faithfulness. His unadulterated fairness, absolute reliability, and flawless memory forbid even a hint of forgetting or overlooking your efforts. Our obedience and persistence will bring Him glory and He deems this as something He can reward. Beloved, we could never receive greater assurance than this!

Assurance of Capability

The Lord Jesus will remember everything you do in service to Him and reward you accordingly (1 Cor. 3:10-15)! He is entirely aware of all your sweat, tears, adjustments, sacrifices, readjustments, efforts, complications, setbacks, break downs, restarts, advances, and struggles to maintain pace with the tasks He has designated for you. Always bear in mind that we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Eph. 2:10). Clearly we are not saved by good works, but saved unto good works. He recreated us in the Lord Jesus with our pre-designated assignments in mind. We are fitted to the works, and the works are fitted to us! You can do anything and everything God calls you to do. You need to know and trust this deeply.

The Glory of God

Also recall how the Lord Jesus challenges us to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven” (Matt 5:16). Again we engage in good works to glorify our great God Who is actually working in and through us to execute His wonderful will (Phil. 2:12, 13). The intent should never be to glorify or bring attention to ourselves. That would be sinful.

Christ Knows

Finally, the words of the glorious Christ spoken in The Revelation come to mind. “I know thy works” says the Lord Jesus to each of the churches in Asia (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:8, 15). He knows fully! Our brilliant Savior totally recognizes how you have sacrificed time, energy, money, privileges, advantages, and opportunities to advance His will. He knows your struggles as you have sought to obey Him fully…He knows when your heart is in it and when it is not. He knows those who are opposing your efforts trying to frustrate you and His work…believe me, He really does know. Never-the-less, He will reward your faithfulness at the appropriate time; therefore, remain engaged for His glory and the good of your fellowman. Keep serving, helping, praying, singing, writing, supporting, witnessing, preaching, teaching, mentoring, equipping, exhorting, caring, counseling, loving people, challenging, modeling, encouraging, instructing, raising your family, evangelizing, giving, leading your home, and working to advance His plan through you. Consider the stirring words of the Apostle Paul, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).  Your industry, passion, and expertise are never ever expended in futility in the Lord Jesus. What a promise and encouragement to remain steadfast in service for His glory!!

A Second Mile Christian

Therefore, do not quit! Do not give up! Do not permit yourself to become frustrated or discouraged. While I realize you are hurting, Christ wants you to do this for Him. I realize you cannot continue for those trying to take advantage of you, but do it for Christ to sustain a testimony of His power and grace at work in you (Matt. 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-36). Decide to do for the Lord Jesus what you would not normally do for anyone else…including yourself. Remember, the Lord Jesus was not only willing to become the doormat for the world; He actually did so at Calvary…even for me and you. It was not His honor that was most important—He looked beyond our faults and saw our need. Likewise, see the need of those around you. Look at them…do you see their need for Christ, a solid Christian testimony, an example of real devotion to God, and a life willing to be jerked out of its comfort zones to advance the cause of Christ? Let them see Christ radiantly shining fort from you. Through these challenges, transform your very interactions with them into a pulpit set ablaze by informed passion for Christ’s glory!

Overcoming Evil with Good

‘Bitterness’ and his cousin ‘Resentment’ are knocking at your front door greatly desiring a commanding influence in your heart. By the grace of God, refuse their entrance—there is no place for bitterness and resentment in Christ’s people. Yes, some may be trying to get over on you…thinking you are too stupid to detect what is happening…do not worry about that for now. God will judiciously handle this on your behalf. It is also true that others are only interested in using you…that is acceptable for now because God is using you in spite of them (Matt. 5:38-48). Heed the Apostle Paul’s counsel to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” that you may “please Him” Who selected you (see 2 Tim. 2:3, 4). Seek to please your Lord as His unique servant! Refuse to be conquered by evil; overcome their evil with God’s good through you (Rom. 12:21).

Use these promises to fuel your passion, inform your direction, inspire your faith, sustain your effectiveness, and refresh your energies. Allow them to stimulate your labors of love. People will fail to appreciate you down here, but still allow the love of Christ to compel and propel you (1 Cor. 13; Rom. 12). God will not forget you at the Judgment Seat of Christ. This you are roundly assured of by your faithful Heavenly Father.