My Reward

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1

“Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” What if God had said that to you? If God were your shield, who could penetrate that? Who could ever harm you? If God were your reward, what more could you ask for? What more could you receive than the King of the Universe? What an amazing statement!

But let's look back into Abram's situation. His nephew, Lot, had been captured in a battle over a tribute dispute. Abram, hearing of his nephew's fate, set out to rescue him. Abram's rescue mission succeeded in bringing back not only his nephew, but also everyone and everything else that had been captured.

The king of Lot's country was very glad to recover his losses, and wanted to reward Abram for what he had done. In a very generous move, the king told Abram that he could have all of the material goods, and the king would just take the people.

Surprisingly, Abram refused to take anything. He told the king that he had sworn to God not to carry off even a thread or a shoelace. Why? Because he didn't want the king to say that Abram had gotten rich by taking his stuff.

That's where we find Abram. He was successful in doing what was right; he had conquered the enemy, but he was no richer. He had nothing to show for his work except that Lot was safely home.

Then God came to him in a vision. “Fear not,” He said, “I am thy shield.” Abram had been protected in battle by the power of God. He could not lose against the enemy because God was with him. God was reminding him of this fact.

But the next thing God said was even better: “and thy exceeding great reward.” Abram didn't need the spoils of war. He didn't need anything that anyone else had. Why not? Because God Himself was his reward. And not just a reward, an “exceeding great reward.” Even though Abram had not increased in material riches, he had more than he could ever have wanted in God alone.

When I face a battle in my life, it's usually a struggle to win. If my faith is in God, He shields me and helps me to be victorious. But often I wonder why I seem not to have gained anything from my victory.

It's encouraging to me to read what God said to Abram, because it helps me realize that my reward doesn't have to be something material. It doesn't have to be something I can brag about. It doesn't have to be anything this world thinks is great. After my battles with sin, self, flesh, and Satan are through, I receive a better reward, an exceeding great reward: God Himself.