Divine Imperatives October 4 Devotional

MATTHEW 6:4, 6, 8 | ⁴ so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁶ But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

I had a third grade teacher who gave a lot of rewards. Her husband had been a fisherman and had lots of lures. I didn’t actually like fishing at the time, but wanted to win all those rewards! Rewards are a powerful motivator. Here, Jesus does not condemn this, instead He harnesses it. God wants to reward His children for their good deeds and positive motivations. In fact, He is as eager to do so as we are to reward our children for their kindness and achievements. Rewards express love and approval. It is exciting to think of our small deeds as exciting the Creator of the universe into “reward mode.”

Do you feel God’s pleasure and delight in your life?

Gracious God,

May I seek the reward of Your delight! Let me sense Your presence and partnership and joy when I give or pray.

Amen.