2 Chronicles 15:7 “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

We tend to think of Old Testament prophets as those who have books named for them, but there are many others, like Azariah mentioned here and even some whose names aren’t recorded. The thing is, God is constantly speaking to His people, and He uses whoever is available. Availability is time and location, but it is especially heart attitude. For the most part we know nothing of the lives of these prophets, with the most extensive information being about Jeremiah. We know so much about him because he had a secretary for part of his ministry, Baruch son of Neriah (Jeremiah 32 and following), who recorded what he said and what he did. He seems to have been the only prophet so blessed. That actually is quite appropriate, because prophecy isn’t about the messenger but about God and what He is saying. This particular Word from God actually applied to the prophets themselves, as it does to us today. It is closely echoed in Hebrews 10:35 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Because God operates on a different time scale from us, (2 Peter 3:8) sometimes it seems like we don’t get rewarded. At the end of the famous Faith Chapter, which comes right after that encouragement not to throw away our confidence, it says, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40) That’s one reason we sometimes speak of someone who has died as having “gone to their reward.” We all have temptations to give up, but God is absolutely faithful, and we need to trust Him, not just with our lives but with our eternity.

I have certainly been tempted to give up. Japan has the lowest “rate of return” of any mission field in the world. There isn’t physical danger or suffering here, like there is in many areas, but the response rate is so low as to be crushing. However, it is not that there is no response, and those who are saved are worth the effort. At 69 in another month, I am at an age where the majority of my classmates from college and before are retired, and in some ways I find I am acting like I am. However the average age of pastors across Japan isn’t much younger than I am; there are many who continue to minister past 80. Right now we are entering into a project that requires a lot of physical and especially emotional energy, and part of me just wants to run away! I’ve got to remember this very simple Word that came through Azariah, trusting God enough to apply myself fully for as long as He leaves me on this earth. Occasionally I envy my father for having “graduated” at 64! However, like Paul, however much I would like to “go to my reward,” I need to rejoice to be and do all that God wants of me for as long as He wants to use me. (Philippians 1:21-26) My reward is sure, and I need to rest in that assurance.

Father, the devil’s tricks can be very subtle. Keep me from laziness of any sort. Rather, help me “press on towards the goal to win the prize for which You have called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:14) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!