Devotion of the Day

2 Timothy 4:8

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the Righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Additional Verses

📖 Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Corinthians 5:1-11

It surprises a lot to see children of God who do not have and let alone know their vision. Some are just like the trees whereby if a wind comes the tree will move in the direction in which the wind is going to. This means that they are simply moved by anything or anyone. When you do not have a vision it means that you are not yet focused. You are still a baby who needs to be pushed around all the time. When you know your vision, you will work towards it and you will have a purpose for life because with a vision you are able to set your priorities right. You also become a principled Christian. In the above text, through the words of Paul, every child of God is given guidance on what to expect when our LORD, the Righteous Judge rewards every genuine Christian on the Day of the LORD. Just like every focused child of God, your expectation should not only be to be prosperous and successful only in this age, but also to be received as a hero in the kingdom of God at the second coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, where we will live with Him eternally. Paul was very conscious of his purpose for living from the day the LORD took over his life. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 he reminds us in the following words, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 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.” Contrary to the foregoing statement, many children of God have visions which are only limited to their carnal nature or to the gratification of their earthly needs. Many pray that they may have good employment, earn a lot of money, have a beautiful wife or a handsome and rich husband and own the best car in town. This is actually a misconception of true prosperity and success. Such a vision is very limited. Many forget that all these you will leave behind. All these can only be meaningful if they are used to perpetuate the greater vision of being with the LORD Jesus Christ forever and ever. On the LORD’s day, men and women will be rewarded according to how they glorified God Almighty with all that God blessed them with while they lived here on earth. Whatever talent or gift the LORD has blessed you with, is not for self-gratification but for blessing other men and women created in the image of God so that they will be able to experience God’s love through you. Your vision therefore should be built upon God’s expectation for you according to His Word. True prosperity and success therefore will only be measured on that day when the LORD rewards us according to our response to His Word. This means therefore, our prosperity and success here on earth as long as they are a product of God’s Word, are a means to the end and not the end in themselves as the best is yet to come at the LORD Jesus’ second coming. Alleluia!

Prayer

Dear LORD JESUS CHRIST, thank You for the good that comes my way. Help me to see my vision in my life and help me to fulfill that vision for the glory of Your name. I know that the vision I am going to follow will be shepherded by You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.