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The Recompense of Reward

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 5, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 35.

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The Recompense of Reward

By Luella B. Priddy

MRS. LUELLA B. PRIDDY
The apostle Peter said to the Lord, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” Matt. 19:27. The Saviour does not rebuke him for his question, but he promises him blessings, not only in this life, but also in the world to come.
The blessed hope has been the inspiration of the people of God throughout all time. Our fathers saw it “afar off,” but we are the privileged people who stand at the very dawn-hour of that day that ushers in everlasting joy. Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Heb. 11:25, 26.
The city “which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God,” was the prospect that cheered Abraham in his wanderings. The prophet John, exiled and alone, had visions of a new earth and a new Jerusalem. Even Christ “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2.
It is human nature for us to see in their full magnitude all the difficulties that confront us, until they hide from our view the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” It is well for us to recount his mercies frequently. The Scriptures say of David that he “encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”
Just a little way from this, that glad time will come when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4. We shall soon exchange our burdens and heartaches for the blessed joys of the better world. There will be a never-ending reunion of friends who have long been separated. There will be no disappointed hopes, and our joy will endure forever. We shall not plant our vineyards and gardens, fearful that they will be nipped by the frost, or be taken from us. The most beautiful parks and pleasure grounds in their midsummer loveliness can not equal the beauty that we shall enjoy eternally. We shall build homes that will be permanent and delight ourselves “in the abundance of peace,” with no foreboding thought that we shall some day have to move to other abodes, or lie down in death and leave it all.
The world may spend its time and money in exploring the wonders of this fast-failing earth, viewing its historic scenes and its treasures of art, listening to its beautiful music, and enjoying other things that are accounted desirable in this life. What if Providence deprives us of some of these pleasures? We may one day, on tireless wings, explore a limitless universe of starry worlds, unhampered by the limitations of time. The most of us may never hear the rich voice of a Patti, or the grand melody of the celebrated King Edward’s band, but we may listen to the voice of King David, the sweet singer of Israel, and to Miriam, who lead the Hebrew women in the song of deliverance on the banks of the Red Sea. We may listen to the grand chorus of the ransomed hosts mingling their glad voices with those of the heavenly orchestra, while the skilled fingers of angels sweep the celestial harps.
It may not be our lot to mingle with many of those who are called great in this world, but over yonder we may hold converse with Paul and Peter and John. We may “sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” We may dwell in that magnificent city with jeweled walls. We may drink of the water of the river of life, and rest in the shade of that tree whose leaves are for “the healing of the nations.” We may behold the throne of God and the Lamb surrounded by seraphim whose souls are so filled with admiration that they cease not to cry, day or night, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Rev. 4:8. We may see him who is “the chiefest among ten thousand,” the one “altogether lovely,” whose voice is “as the sound of many waters.”
Imagination loses itself in contemplating the riches of the reward of the righteous. O eternity! eternity! how the transient splendors of earth vanish into nothingness, like mist in the sunshine, when we catch a glimpse of thy glory! It is so difficult for us to realize that these blessings are to be really ours.
It is the common lot of man to meet with trials in this life. “The road may be rough, but it can not be long.” When the trials are great, and everything looks dark, we may put on our heavenly spectacles, and, by faith, look beyond these earthly shadows, and delight ourselves with a view of paradise.
Here, the things for which we fondly hope often fail to equal our expectations; but our fancy may picture the things that we know are grand and beautiful, good and true, and still we can say, Heaven is better, infinitely better.
“How cheering in the Christian’s hope, While toiling here below! It buoys us up while passing through This wilderness of woe.”
Markham, Ontario.