Those who are diligent to do what God
has said will receive the reward for their actions. The blessings of God will
come on them and overtake them. Deuteronomy 28:1, 2 says:
Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of
the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command
you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the
earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because
you obey the voice of the Lord your God: and all these blessings shall come
upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God. (Deut. 28:1,-2 NKJV)
The blessing of God does not come
automatically, however. It is the one who aggressively takes hold of God’s Word
who obtains it.
Remember blind Bartimaeus? He was a beggar; a liability to society. He could not work or support a family. He was good for nothing but to beg alms by the wayside. One day Jesus passed on the road where Bartimaeus sat, but He did not stop.
When Bartimaeus realized that it was Jesus who had passed, he knew he could receive something from Him. Bartimaeus cried out loudly. He was aggressive, in spite of the ridicule and opposition of those who stood around him. Because of his diligence and aggressiveness he received his sight that day. He knew what he could receive. When Jesus asked him what he wanted he boldly proclaimed, “Lord that I might receive my sight.” (Mark 10:51 KJV)
Bartimaeus displayed boldness, not brazenness. He was confident that Jesus wanted him to receive his sight. He knew that God’s blessing was not automatic, but that it was obtainable. The desires that God has placed within our spirits, and the goals that He has set for us in His Word, will not be fulfilled automatically. They are, however, obtainable.
There are three points to remember in order to be successful in our God-given desires and goals: First, we must build a strong foundation in our lives by becoming established in the Word of God.
Second, we must allow ourselves to increase one step at a time. Romans 4:12 refers to the steps Abraham took as he followed God. Results do not always appear overnight, but they will come. If we are patient and persistent, we will see the rewards of our diligence.
And third, we must set our sights high. Let our expectation and hope be developed to the fullest. Dare to expect God’s best. And then we must give Him our best. Notice 2 Peter 1:5 in The Amplified Bible says: “For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy)….”
It is important to realize that diligence and effort must be applied to the promises of God if His rewards are to become a way of life. Peter goes on to enumerate other things that must be developed: the knowledge of God, self-control, consistency in the Word of God, godliness, brotherly affection and the God-kind of love.
Let’s become aggressive like Bartimaeus, despite of the risks and opposition of those around us. It will be because of our diligence and aggressiveness that we will receive what we need. If Jesus asked what we wanted, will we boldly proclaimed, “Lord, I want to receive….”
Vikki Burke
[Source: Dennis Burke Ministries | cfaith.com]
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