Reward for Your Work

But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is a reward for your work. - 2 Chronicles 15:7

This morning I filled up the last page in my journal, so I was flipping through it before going to file it away and found a few 3x5 cards on which I had written verses. I love reading the Old Testament and finding great promises like this.

The above is from when Asa was king over Judah. Asa had removed the foreign alters and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, and all kinds of detestable things. Azariah the prophet came to Asa and was encouraging him. Asa hadn't removed all the abominable idols yet, but after hearing these words, he was encouraged and finished the job.

This is a great promise for us home school moms. It is so easy to lose courage. Our kids have bad attitudes. We don't feel motivated. The house isn't cleaned. The kids won't listen to us. We have so many activities. It goes on and on. And it is easy to just give up and think home schooling isn't God's plan for our family. It is hard work. Then I see this verse and think, "I may not see the fruit now, the days may drag on and on, but there is a reward for this work."

Now, the problem is I too often try to do my work in my own strength. That never works long term. Then I have to remember Philippians 4:13,

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

This constant turning to God and looking to Him for our victories is what carries us through the long haul.

Later on in 2 Chronicles, King Jehoshaphat is having trouble. The Moabites and Ammonites are about to make war on Judah. He is at a loss, and says,

...nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on Thee. - 2 Chronicles 20:12b

We have to keep our eyes on Him. He will show us. We just have to keep ourselves open to Him. It's so easy to tell Him what we want and how we want it given to us. But, maybe He has a slightly different idea of how things should go.

Sure enough, a couple of verses later, God answers and says,

Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. (2 Chronicles 20:15b)

So often we think the battle is ours. It is my fight. But, when we make it our battle, then we lose the unlimited power and resources that God has for us if we just ask Him.

...put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will be established. - 2 Chronicles 20:20b

That promise wasn't just for Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. That promise is also for us this day. We need to trust that He will give us the answers to our problems and our battles.

When we think of our daily struggles with home schooling, we would do well to remember this is only temporary. This isn't our final home. We are really citizens of heaven.

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

God's plan is to shape us more into being like Him (see Romans 8:29). How often is parenting and home schooling more about shaping our character than our kid's? Sometimes we think the problems we're having with our kids is about our kids. And sometimes they need to change, probably most of the time. But, I bet almost all the time God is working on some character issue in us and we're the ones that need to change.

Remember, be strong and don't lose courage, there is a reward for your work. Turn your eyes to God for your help. He will fight your battles. This is only temporary.