Everything you do or sacrifice for the sake of the gospel is not only recorded (Malachi 3:16), the Lord also rewards you for it. This brings to mind Peter’s encounter with the Lord by the lake of Gennesaret: “And it came to pass that, as the people pressed upon to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship” (Luke 5:1-3).
Peter and his company had just returned from a fruitless all-night fishing expedition. So his decision to oblige the Master the use of his boat wasn’t an easy one; he had to jettison his disappointment and exhaustion in order to help the Master propagate His message. The Bible lets us know that after Jesus preached to the crowd from Peter’s boat, He asked Peter to launch out into the deep for a great catch. Peter obeyed and caught a great multitude of fishes such that he had to call out to his partners to help him haul in the great catch (Luke 5:6-7). Now, he had toiled all-night and caught nothing. But suddenly he had so much, just because he decided to help the Master. What a miracle!
What sacrifices have you made for the gospel? It could be your time, money, family, friends and relationships you gave up, whatever it is, God hasn’t forgotten. Your blessing isn’t deferred until you get to heaven. It begins here on earth: “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first” (Mark 10:29-31).
Peter didn’t receive his harvest of fishes in heaven, he got it on earth. Therefore, your reward isn’t far ahead; its closer than you think, be confidently assured that He’ll reward you in due time, for He doesn’t forget your labour of love!