Notes of Faith July 4, 2024

Am Your Reward

I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.

Genesis 15:1

One day the famous existentialist philosopher Albert Camus confessed to Pastor Howard Mumma that he was disillusioned with his own philosophical conclusions. Mumma listened, then began sharing with Camus the story of the Bible, starting with Adam and Eve. Suddenly Camus brightened up and said, “Howard, do you remember what Augustine said: ‘Thou has made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in Thee’?” Mumma wondered whether Camus was on the road to becoming a believer in Christ.1

For once, Camus was right. God has made us for Himself, and our hearts are restless until we find Him. We’re made to be satisfied by knowing God and accepting His Son, Jesus Christ. Some people try to fill the emptiness in their hearts with other things, but Jesus wants to be the very substance of who you are and what you are. You simply have to say, “Yes.”

He Himself is your reward. Thank Him today for this: He so fills the emptiness in our hearts that we don’t need anything else.

Christianity is the measure of our whole being, and, as such, it is a process that consumes a lifetime.

Howard Mumma

Jesus is the creator of all that is, including us, especially us, for we are the only thing He created in His own image. You are created to reflect the glory of God! We find peace and rest in this life through knowing intimately the One who will provide us escape from the debt and penalty of rebellion and sin against God and take us out of death and darkness into light and life. May we all consider the claims of Jesus to be God, to be doing the work of God, and to provide life and that eternal. If we do not, we have nothing to look forward to but suffering and separation from God forever. May Jesus Christ be praised this day and every day!

Pastor Dale