God Rewards Faith

There are moments throughout human history that individuals or groups displayed faith, and in every example we find that God did not ignore their faith.  Instead, God rewarded faith repeatedly throughout the Scriptures.  Let’s survey a few examples:

Galatians 3:6, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (see also Romans 4:3, James 2:23)

Matthew 9:22, “But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour."

Matthew 15:28, “Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”

Interestingly, the faithful described in Hebrews 1, “all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”  This shows us that God’s specific reward of our faith doesn’t always take place in this life.  

Also, in Hebrews (11:6), we find this faith-reward connection: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

A crucial principle is that God Himself is the reward.  Genesis 15:1, “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.”  The Great I AM said to Abram, “I AM your reward.”  We can deceive ourselves into thinking that the miracle, the thing provided, the bill paid, the disease healed, or the heavenly home prepared, is the reward.  But it is the measure of God’s abiding presence with us that is the reward.  As believers, we have the indwelling of the Spirit as a reward of our faith in Christ Jesus.

There have been times that the reward was proportionate to the faith.  As you meditate on the faith-reward connection, my prayer for you is found in this principle from Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith let it be to you.”