The Rewards of Steadfastness

Daily Devotional – Wednesday, May 31, 2023
But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you.
Deuteronomy 4:4 (NKJV)

After insisting that longevity and productivity would result from obeying God’s laws, Moses expounds on the rewards of steadfastness to God. To ensure the Israelites understand the lesson, he cites an unfortunate incident of unfaithfulness.

The Penalty of Infidelity

In Numbers 25, the people of God are in Shittim. They are surrounded by the Moabites who worship Baal-Peor. Soon, an unholy alliance emerges, whereby Israelite men commit adultery with Moabite women and even begin to worship the latter’s pagan deity.

God’s anger burns. He orders Moses to hang some of the leaders of the people. As the faithful leaders mourn and seek to abate the Lord’s anger, a daring man passes before them with a Moabite woman in tow. Phineas, son of Aaron, cannot stomach it any longer. He follows the two and spears them to death.

Alive for Clinging to God

The anger of the Lord abates but in the process, twenty-four thousand rebels lie dead. Now, Moses reminds the Israelites, “Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal Peor; for the LORD your God has destroyed from among you all the men who followed Baal of Peor.” (Deuteronomy 4:3).

Now, just as God does not tolerate rebellion, He has a special regard for the faithful. To those who refused to engage in sexual immorality, Moses declares, “But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you.” (Deuteronomy 4:4).

God Rewards those who Seek Him

Because these people clung to the Lord and chose to obey Him and not to whore after pagan gods, He preserved their lives. Each of them was present to listen to Moses’ address. They were living testimonies to the faithfulness of God to those who are faithful to Him.

Paul may as well have been describing these people when he wrote that God “is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). Just as God’s wrath is fierce towards the rebellious, so is His goodness and providence towards those who remain steadfast to Him.

The Rewards of Steadfastness

Our safety is in clinging to the Lord especially because the storms of temptation and sin are powerful. God preserves the lives of His faithful people while those who persist in sin eventually pay with their lives, now and in eternity.

Today, take time to reflect on your journey with God so far. Remember you are alive because of His mercy and grace. Determine you will hang on to Him and remain faithful. Remember, in this life and in the one to come, there are innumerable rewards of steadfastness to God.

Prayer
Dear God, I owe my life and everything to Your faithfulness. I will cling to you and enjoy the rewards of steadfastness.