faith’s reward

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,

on those who hope in his steadfast love,

that he may deliver their soul from death

and keep them alive in famine.

Psalm 33:18-19

There are two ways faith in God is described by the Psalmist and there are two ways God delivers that are described in these two verses. Those who have faith in God, God sees and notices, and those who fear Him will place their hope in His grace. These two facets of faith balance out our view of God. We fear Him because of His authority over us. We respect God’s holiness. We are aware of how our sins put us under His judgment and wrath. This healthy respect places us in the humblest position before God.

We also, through Christ, may hope in His steadfast love. God loved us by sending His Son to die in our place, to bear our judgment, to die our death, so that we might believe and find life in His grace. God’s justice met His grace in Jesus. The truth of our guilt met mercy, and by faith we are forgiven and made new!

The two results of this faith now can be our own experience. We are delivered from eternal damnation in death and we are kept safe in times of life hardship by the love of God. God takes care of His children. Yes, we are mortal and will journey death’s valley of the shadow one day. But we are delivered from the worst of what it could bring us. We are given eternal life by Jesus!

We may also know difficulties, but are spared the worst as the joy of the Lord is our life. He keeps us by His good grace and sovereign purpose until the day He brings us to Himself. Faith’s reward is God Himself!