By Robin Sam
“And that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work” Psalm 62:12 (ESV)
IN the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainties, we often wonder if our efforts and deeds have any lasting significance. We may question if our actions truly matter in the grand scheme of divine things. Yet, Psalm 62:12 assures us that our God, the righteous Judge, takes careful note of every deed, and He will reward each person according to their work.
Romans 2:6-7 says God “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality. Those who seek those three things in their lives – glory, honor and immortality – are given a single reward that encompasses all three of their searches – eternal life!
Reward for our works is not an afterthought, it was always in the plan of God. When Cain felt offended because God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected his, He asked the miffed man: “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door” (Genesis 4:6-7). All those who do well will be accepted is the original promise of God.
In Mathew 16:27, Jesus told His disciples how it’s all going to end: ‘For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’
Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:10, ‘For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.’
Our earthly deeds that are fueled by love and faith are not in vain. They have eternal implications. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every sacrifice made for God’s glory matter in the eternal scope of things.
Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, risked her life to hide Jews from the Nazis during World War II. She acted out of love for her fellow human beings and faith in God’s calling. Years later, she said, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” Corrie’s works of love and courage testified to her trust in God’s plan.
Mother Teresa dedicated her entire life to serving the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India. Her selfless work demonstrated her love for Christ and her belief in His promise to reward those who serve Him. She once said, “In this life, we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.”
As we reflect on Psalm 62:12, let us remember that our God is just and faithful. He sees every effort, knows every heart, and will reward us according to our works. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for our labor in the Lord is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). May we continue to seek opportunities to love and serve others with a heart full of faith, knowing that our ultimate reward is in His hands.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Help us, Lord, to live our lives with the knowledge that our deeds and actions matter to You. May we serve others with love and faith, trusting that You will reward us according to Your perfect plan. Keep us steadfast in our commitment to honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
