2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (KJV)

 Are you excited about your crown?

You go to work every day because on payday you want to get paid. You look forward to retirement, when you won’t have to work, and you will still receive pay. You probably took the job based on the benefits attached to it, salary being a very important aspect. You also get excited that the longer you are an employee, the more you make. What happens when there is an issue with the company you work for? They could ask you to take a pay cut. They could lay you off. You could end up not getting the retirement you worked for. If you see your position with the Lord accurately, you work for Him.

1 Corinthians 3:9a For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; (AMPC)

If you continue to work diligently, serving the Lord, no matter what you have to endure, the benefits and the reward will never change. You never have to worry about an issue with the company. He will never lay you off. Isn’t it a blessing to know the God you serve will do what He has promised?

Hebrews 10:23 So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. (AMPC)

Isn’t it also a great blessing that the Father does not base your benefit on the time you have been on the job? Read the parable of the landowner in Matthew 20:1-16. Also, read the discussion Jesus had with the criminals as He hung on the cross in Luke 23:39-43. The Father has reserved a crown for you and for all those who remain in the faith as you wait for Jesus’ return.

James 1:12 Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (AMP)

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, I did nothing to earn my salvation. It is because of what You did for me, and I thank You. I repent for the times I took it for granted. You have promised I will be with You in glory. And if that was not enough, if I am a faithful servant, I can expect to wear a crown. It does not matter what title I have or don’t have. It does not matter how long or tough the road I have to travel. It does not matter what position I hold. It does not matter if I have to walk alone. It does not matter how many mistakes I made. What matters in my faithfulness to stay the course. You give the race to the one who endures to the end. I must continue to look, with expectancy, for Your return with my hope based on You. I know it is only because of Your grace I can remain, and I thank You for it…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: