First, like Christ, we are remembered for our zeal. God does not forget the good works of those that believe. "1 LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured, 2 and how he swore an oath to the LORD, making a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: 3 "I will not enter my house or get into my bed, 4 "I will not allow my eyes to sleep or my eyelids to slumber 5 "until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."

Yesterday, I went to hear the gospel. A gifted man, Pastor Larry Austin, was preaching. He graciously poured out his heart, and recounted the story of how God led him to street ministry among the homeless and outcast community… the very bottoms of American society. He recounted driving past an area filled with homelessness, trash, and broken lives. He said, “Somebody ought to do something.” In his heart, God said, “YOU ought to do something.”

Larry now ministers weekly to a small community outdoors, shepherding them in the way of Christ. I looked on as he spoke. Tears came into my eyes. My thoughts? “This man is giving his life to serve nobodies who can’t help him…in a place where he has no esteem…when he could be doing something much more popular and pleasing to the eyes. He could have more money, more notoriety, and more respect, but he serves these people willingly!”

Another person looks upon this same man, and sees nothing but waste. “He has talent,” they say, “but he’s wasting it, serving homeless people and addicts. His ministry could be more famous, but he’s wasting his time on these nobodies in a place that’s not pleasing. Even if these people are saved, who cares? They are not rich and famous. They don’t have good jobs to pay the pastor. This isn’t big. This isn’t famous. This isn’t noteworthy. This isn’t impressive.”

All of these accusations and the underlying disregard mean nothing! When Larry gets to heaven, he’ll look back upon his life of service with EXTREME GRATITUDE. He’ll say, “Thank you, Father and Lord Jesus, that by the Spirit, you enabled me. Thank you so much that I gave my life to you.” The saints in heaven will rejoice. There’ll be no tears of sorrow, but there’ll be such heartfelt affection that, if possible, we’d weep for centuries with joy, astonishment, and adoration - that God Almighty used us, and saved us! Hebrews 6:10, "For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints ​-- ​and by continuing to serve them."

This is the good thing of never being forgotten. Hallelujah! Our reward is in heaven. Serve God, and he’ll also give you the Spirit of comfort on earth!

Secondly, the saints are blessed because of Christ. Psalm 132:8–9, "Rise up, LORD, come to your resting place, you and your powerful ark. May your priests be clothed with righteousness, and may your faithful people shout for joy. "

The gospel benefits us. We are the recipients of God’s great glory. Having predestined us to salvation, he glories himself in his goodness to us for Christ’s sake. Ephesians 1:6, "to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One." The Father hears us because of Christ, seeks us because of Christ, and he irresistibly draws us because of Christ only. It is Christ who put away our sins, and it is because of his obedience that we are righteous. Romans 5:19 - "For just as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." Christ suffered, and we get the joy. He took our sins, so we could be the righteousness of God - fully justified by faith in his blood. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Christ is the reason that God holds onto us: He made covenant promises to Christ that guaranteed our salvation. Psalm 89:34–36, ""I will not violate my covenant or change what my lips have said. Once and for all I have sworn an oath by my holiness; I will not lie to David. His offspring will continue forever, his throne like the sun before me."

Let us rejoice. This is our inheritance. This is what we’ve received from God himself. Let the world discount us, and pursue its vain pleasures. Let us be looked upon as fools who are squandering our lives for ancient beliefs. Let them persecute us, deny us, and resist us, but we still have the joy of the Lord. One man said, “You can kill Christians, but you can’t do us any real harm.” Let us have this attitude because of all that we have in Jesus. Count your blessings one by one!

Thirdly, God is a blessing God. Let us never forget.

Often, we look upon him as a rule maker and task master, rather than seeing the graciousness of his commands, and the sweetness of his Person. We allow Satan to turn him into an ogre, deceiving us about his hardness, and we think that God is like ourselves - slow to mercy, quick to anger, standoffish, and vengeful. We don’t see the love he has for us in Christ, and how he satisfies our soul. He doesn’t give what we want always, but he gives us himself. He has a perfect plan, and the grace to see us through. We need not complain, worry, or worship this world, seeking peace and satisfaction, relevance and notoriety. We can boldly walk in God’s will, and know that he will care for everything that concerns us. Don’t be deceived about his goodness.

Not only did he die for us, but he’s patient now. Not only did he choose us, but he loves us, as he loves Christ, with the fullness of generosity and wisdom. He’s not withholding. He’s doing wisely for our good in everything, whether we weep or laugh, and he’ll console us eventually. Perfection is God’s attribute: He is the perfect Father, Savior, and Friend. He’s perfect in humility and patience. He perfectly reproves and withholds.