2 John 1:8, Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
As you probably know already, leaders must be readers. And as one who believes in being intentional about participating in God’s plan to come into the fullness of the knowledge of Christ, I’ve learned the importance of reading the Bible, as well as books by various Christian authors who are able to shed some light on topics that the world around us is often too distant in heart to communicate with any level of integrity. Nevertheless, when it comes to the topic of Honor, that’s why I have chosen a book by John Bevere, entitled Honor’s Reward.
While Honor is a virtue that is dear to the heart of God, especially for His church, this topic can be difficult sometimes for many of us to perceive, much less act on simply because we don’t talk about it enough. And so it is for this reason I wanted to share this with you tonight.
In his book, Honor’s Reward, John Bevere opens with a verse from 2 John 1:8, Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Although the word “honor” is not explicitly stated in this verse, he uses it to share, what I believe is a very timely lesson in this season about honor. Although I wish we had time to read this book together, for now I’ll simply present an excerpt for you to digest. He says, …
“Careful attention must be paid so we do not lose those things for which we have labored. This is a bit sobering… we can lose what was won through labor. Imagine a farmer toiling to clear his field. He works through the heat of the day to rid his soil of boulders and stumps that would hinder the soil from producing a harvest. Once cleared, he plows and tills the ground in preparation for the planting of his seed. Once the field is planted, he labors to maintain the ideal conditions for his plantings to flourish by fertilizing, weeding, and watering his seed. The plans emerge and his labor continues as he protects the field from pestilence and damage. Then, a few weeks prior to harvest, he is weary and gives up. All is for nought as he loses his entire crop because of his latter neglect. What a waste of time, money, labor and resources only to falter at the moment of realization. What about a businessman who labors to build his company for years, only to lose it in the end because of a few bad decisions? In both situations, the benefits of extensive labor are lost in a moment through wrong choices.”
After reading this, and meditating on spiritual matters, I found this reading very sobering indeed. And I could not help but be reminded of how it is possible to work very hard for many years, only to lose what I gained through hard labor, all because I grew tired at the wrong time. Or because I gave up, or made the wrong decision.
Has it ever occurred to you that it’s no coincidence that you tend to get tired or become weary around the same time every year? Make no mistake about it. The enemy will come to discourage you during your labor season, your sowing season, your maintenance season, hoping you get tired and give up before it’s harvest time. Beloved, I tell you, this is not the season to give up. But this is the season to honor the grace that God has given you to labor thus far, by enduring until your harvest season. Although one of my favorite verses in the Bible is Galatians 6:9, it must be coupled with a mindset to endure and remain faithful to see each season through to completion.
And so, with that said, I pray as Jesus prayed. I pray for you that your faith fail not. I rebuke abortions to your purpose and assignment. And I pray you get hungry for God all the more I pray you seek God for the grace to see this season of your labor to full completion. I pray you receive the grace of God to finish what you started. I pray God give you His divine strength to endure the pressures you’ve been facing, grace to weather the storms in your life, encouragement to keep sowing, to keep maintaining, to keep praying, keep believing, and to hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Because what you’ve labored for is about to spring up. So be strong in The Lord and in the power of His might. Stay focused and remain faithful. Because your reward is near.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mike Reed
“I love you for real.”
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