Day #14 - Our Reward

The Presence - A Devotional for living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder

“Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Photo by Erik-Jan Leusink on Unsplash

Do you know what the highest reward from God is?

The highest reward from God is God Himself. His presence is our reward.

When I was growing up I had one longing when my parents were away and that was for their return. When they were home I felt okay. When they were traveling my heart obsessed with the idea of them coming back home.

Even when they were out late on a date for one night, I would wait up in bed with the lights out and every set of headlights that would pass by on the street would fill my heart with hope that it was them returning home. Of course, it was usually 20 or 30 cars that passed before it was finally their car. But when it was finally them, it’s hard to put into words the joy I felt knowing they would be with me again.

In the book of Joel God promises that He would return and be in their midst once again. He promises to return to His people and when He is present, “they will never be put to shame.” You have to understand the devastation that Joel prophesied and the people experienced to appreciate how glorious the return of the Lord’s presence would be to Israel.

The Israelites experienced a destroying army of locusts that ate all their crops. It devastated the economy, their food supply and even their worship because nothing was left to eat, sell or sacrifice. The locust invasion was followed by a drought and by fires. God had departed and His blessing left with His presence going away.

But Joel announces that the Lord would return and it’s His presence that is the greatest reward. His presence is the greatest reward of revival. His presence is the greatest reward of the church that gathers. His presence is the greatest reward of the home that fears and worships the Lord.

If we have the presence of God, we have everything we need. A God forsaken land is cursed because He is absent. But when His presence returns to our lives, all flourishing comes from Him and His nearness. If you have His presence, you have everything you need. Everything you need is in Him.

Father God, thank you for your promise to be in the midst of your people. You being near is all that I need and all that I long for. To be at home with you is my greatest desire. When you are with me I am not put to shame. Dwell with me and let me dwell with you. Your presence is my great reward. In Christ Jesus’ name, Amen.