Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
King Asa has just led Judah in a major spiritual reform, removing idols and renewing covenant with God. The prophet Azariah gives this encouragement when the work feels overwhelming and the results aren't immediate. In ancient Hebrew, "be strong" literally means "grab hold with both hands" — not passive waiting but active perseverance when you want to quit.
God who rewards what others overlook, give me stubborn strength for today's invisible work. Help me grab hold again when my hands are tired. Thank you for keeping perfect records of imperfect efforts. I won't quit today. Amen.
You've been cleaning out your mom's hoarded house for three weekends straight, and you're only halfway through the garage. Or you've been showing up faithfully to that recovery group for six months, and someone's still relapsing. This verse lands like water in the desert: your work is not wasted. Every bag hauled to Goodwill, every tearful Tuesday night — God is keeping track. The reward isn't always Instagram-worthy. Sometimes it's just the quiet strength you didn't know you had. Sometimes it's seeing your mom actually sit at her dining room table for the first time in years. The Hebrew word for reward literally means "wages" — like you're earning something that will be paid in a currency you can't yet see. So grab hold with both hands today. The God who notices sparrows sees every load you lift.
What specific work has God given you that feels invisible or unrewarded?
How does understanding 'be strong' as 'grab hold with both hands' change the instruction?
Why might God wait to reward work instead of giving immediate results?
What difference does it make knowing God sees labor that others dismiss or criticize?
What will you choose not to give up on this week, even if no one else notices?
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Genesis 15:1
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2 John 1:8
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Hebrews 10:35
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:7
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 28:20
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Ephesians 6:10
But as for you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work."
AMP
But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”
ESV
'But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.'
NASB
But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
NIV
But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!”
NKJV
But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”
NLT
"But it's different with you: Be strong. Take heart. Payday is coming!"
MSG