My very great reward

Today, I was going through my day pondering all that I could blog about today. I had been doing my normal day to day stuff. I folded laundry, put that laundry away. Well okay, some of that laundry is put away. The rest is sitting in baskets in our room. But hey - it's folded and in the right room to be put away later. I picked up hundreds of books and had some snuggle time with the toddlers. I conversed with the older two about possible halloween costume ideas, I put dishes away, made lunch and cleaned up from lunch. Finally nap time came and I was able to sit down for some quiet time. I started to read the book we are going through for Bible study and I came across this verse - "I am your shield, your very great reward." Genesis 15:1

It came out of the context of being obedient to God, even when things seem scary or hard or when it comes to something we think isn't clear. He is our shield. He is my protector and defender. Nothing's going to get past him. That's not say bad things won't happen to me or that I won't experience hard times. He's saying he will protect and defend me. He is my armor. He is my strength and with him I can get through anything!

The second part of this verse really got me. Your very great reward. Pause for a minute and think about that. He is our very great reward. When we are obedient and follow God no matter what we think is best or what might be easiest or safest, our reward is great. No not great - very great. It's not just any reward. It's Him! What could possibly be better than that?! Out of our obedience to Him comes a chance for him to really show his faithfulness to us. He is always showing that to us it's just maybe when we are obedient we are looking for His hand in our life. Our faith is strengthened and our trust in Him is bolstered. It's joy and happiness from knowing and following my God who will never leave me or forsake me. (Joshua 1:5) It's a satisfaction of experiencing God providing all we need at each specific time. (psalm 23) He gives us everything we need. Not what we think we need but what we do need. I'm not saying he won't give us things that we want or anything like that. I'm saying that all that other stuff doesn't matter to me when I'm really seeking him and obeying him.

I'm learning that right now. I wonder to myself sometimes how many times must I repeat myself to my kids. It's the same way with me and God. How many different ways must he say the same thing before I get it? I found great support in this group of women at my Bible Study this summer. It's been a great blessing. Their encouragement truly was from God. Then life got crazy with flu and other ickiness going through our family, and then more encouragement. I'm slowly getting over my fear and getting with the program. So then last week at Bible Study, we read through Psalm 23. Well actually our guest speaker read through it and we listened. It was really powerful to me. Especially the part "even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." I could picture Jesus walking beside me with his arm around me. I felt comforted and safe. I wasn't afraid of whatever my lie ahead. Yep, that spoke to me but did I do anything about it? I wish I could say yes. I'm not sure what I've been waiting for but I think it's fear that has been holding me back. This morning I read my sister's blog and came across the bible verse she wrote at the bottom. Jeremiah 29:11 "for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." This reminded me of God wanting me to be obedient, not because I should, or because he's God and he said so. It's because it's for my best. He wants the best for me. Sometimes we need to delve into something (whether it's from our past or something we are currently experiencing) that might seem scary and painful at the time, but as we move into that and allow him to work and remove the hurt and anger, sorrow, and bitterness then we can heal and experience that hope that He has for us. Then later today I came across Genesis 15:1 and read my Bible Study. I need to be obedient to what he's telling me. As I go forward with him he is my protector, defender, comforter, shepherd, provider, and so much more. I was obedient today and I know it's a good thing.