I listened to a teaching recently where a woman wrote an email to a ministry she was following online. She shared her discouragement since she was past a certain age and had never been married. She figured, “I did all the right things. I thought I’d be married by now. I should have done the opposite. At least I would have experience.”
The response to her letter convicted me, so I pray it makes you think. The ministry responded in love but also asking, “So you only obeyed God, thinking it entitled you? Holiness is His standard. It’s not something we do to get what we want from God.”
To hear that it may sound harsh to some. The lack of marriage genuinely discouraged this woman. How many can relate to this? How long have you waited for a blessing? How long have you waited for a spouse? You’ve done your best to honor God, and you figured, “where’s the reward?”
However, I have to ask you. What was your motive? Like the woman above, believe it or not, it sounded like she only obeyed so God could reward her. What did she want? Marriage, but marriage is not a reward for holiness.
We don’t obey God out of obligation. That’s religion. Not a relationship. If we’re only seeking God for blessings, then we’ve missed the point. What is the true reward? Jesus.
We deserve nothing but hell and judgment. Our sin deserves God’s wrath, but He paid for it with the blood of His son. We’re the ones who owe Him. God owes us nothing. He blesses us because He loves us!
This doesn’t negate that God rewards obedience. There are benefits to following Him, but that should not be the motive. Obey God because you love Him. Serve Him because you want to please Him. Follow Him because you want Him to be Savior and Lord of your life. Don’t do it thinking, “If I do this, God will bless me. I deserve it, don’t I?”
Those who feel like this woman, I hear their hearts. I even thought the same thing, not realizing it gave way to pride. Still, I love Jesus enough that even if He doesn’t bless me again, He’s still the person I’m chasing. I’m pursuing Him for life.
I open my Bible because I want intimacy. I want to hear what He has to say. I pray not out of routine, but because I can’t go a day without talking to Jesus. I can’t go two hours without talking to Him. I’m reminded of the song lead by Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship, “Talking to Jesus.” Never stop talking to Jesus!
I have to talk to Him. Why? I love Him. I know who He is to me. I can ask for things, but I’m not emotionally tied to the blessings. My world won’t end if I don’t get what I want. Sure, it’ll disappoint me, but I already have my reward.
I know I have Jesus. I’m saved from the guilt and shame of my past. He’s made me brand new. He’s my reward. Anything else is extra, like icing on a cake.
What about you? Are you emotionally tied to the wrong things? Be honest.
If you’re in the same boat and are feeling discouraged, thinking God would have come through because of your obedience, I encourage you to check your motives. Nothing wrong with blessings, including marriage, but God knows the reason behind the desire. It’s possible we haven’t received some things because God knows the true intent. So check your motives and keep your heart pure before the Lord.
Check out The Christian Singles Hub website for information on Christian matchmaking, Christian speed dating, upcoming Christian retreats, events, trips and so much more at https://thechristiansingleshub.com/
Written by Daria White Osah
You can find Daria Here:
Devotional https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Younger-Me-Devotional-Personal-ebook/dp/B09QRKBRGB/
Her podcast Single Plus https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/singleplus & on Instagram @mysingleplus
