Joni And Friends Daily Devotional 4th December 2024, Wednesday Message
TOPIC: Who Gets the Prize?
“Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads…They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’” – Revelation 4:4, 10-11
“His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.” – Revelation 19:12
When I was growing up, I loved to enter my thoroughbred in the local horse shows. I’d prepare for that day, but I didn’t work nearly as hard as the horse. After all, he was the one who had to soar over those fences and make his way through a complex maze of jumps.
When it came time for us to receive the prize, a person of importance would walk up to my horse. He’d usually give my hot and lathered animal a pat and then…reach up to hand me the trophy and ribbon. My horse did all the work but I received the honors. I suppose that’s because I owned him. Plus, I was the one who had taken him through the course.
That situation is a bit like our Christian lives. Ephesians 1:18 says, “I pray…that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
We are Christ’s inheritance, the prize. We are also the praise. Oh sure, we do much of the work here on earth. There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. The course on earth is long and complex. At times we get weary. Even so, on the day of awards when the Judge approaches, the blue ribbon will go to…Christ! And the crowns we receive we’ll cast at his feet. It’s because he owns us and he is the one who took us through the course.
As you go through the complex maze of your day, remember that the more you obey and the longer you persevere, the greater God’s glory.
PRAY: Jesus Christ, thank you that my obedience and perseverance bring you glory.