When my ship comes in…
Last Sunday we explored the lives of two biblical heroes whose ship had most certainly come in: Mary, mother of Jesus, and Joseph, son of Jacob—two model young people who were suddenly thrust into greatness. Their stellar character and integrity had been noted by God and He was pleased to favor them with choice roles in His story.
And there are many others in the Book: Esther, David, Daniel…
We would be inclined to draw upon their stories and deduce a biblical principle: When a man or woman is faithful in the little things, God—who is no man’s debtor—will one day reward them generously and usher them into greatness.
And we would be half right. Which means we would also be half wrong.
How many countless of His devoted followers lived out their lives in obscurity? knew only meagerness and never abundance? endured a lifetime of poor health or even suffering? and never saw their ship come in?
I’m thinking of Anna (Luke 2:36), who was a widow for sixty-some of her eighty-four years and whose material possessions were little to none. And the unnamed prophets of Judges 6:8; 1 Kings 13:1, 18; 1 Kings 20:13; and 2 Chronicles 25:15. And all the blameless but childless Zachariahs and Elizabeths to whom the angel of the Lord never appeared (Luke 1), but still held fast their integrity. These and so many others, plus the extra-biblical Brother Lawrences, would call into question the principle above.
Unless…! Unless we allow that God is not constrained to fulfill that principle in this lifetime. God—who is no man’s debtor— absolutely will reward generously and usher into greatness every single man or woman who is faithful in the little things. But He may well wait until eternity commences to begin to honor that person.
Are you feeling like your ship’s never going to come in? That perhaps your effort and devotion to the Lord have gone unnoticed? Or worse, that you have gone unnoticed by the Lord?
Then here is a word just for you: “God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for His name…” (Heb. 6:10). His very character assures that you and your devotion have not gone unnoticed. Yet it is His prerogative to honor you in His time, and that may not happen until eternity.
Jesus Himself reminded us that His rewards may be delayed: “Now after a long time the master came and settled accounts with them… and said to [some of them], ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master’” (Matt. 25:21).
Hang in there!