WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

For a long time I have loved Psalm 103 and used it for much devotional reading because it addresses one of the most human questions of every age and society - What's In It For Me? Although we may not always verbalize that question, it's there, floating around in the background with a powerful impact on every relationship. We enter into all relationships with expectations and all of them center around that umbrella question. Even when a relationship is primarily one of giving rather than receiving, we still expect to receive something from it.
David wrote - "Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits." He then begins to list a catalogue of those benefits i.e. "forgives all your iniquity", "heals all your diseases", "redeems your life from the pit", "crowns you with steadfast love and mercy", "satisfies you with good", all of which are just the tip of the iceberg. The rest of David's song is proof of God's benefits.
You may not realize it but you don't really have to ask God "What's in it for me?", although I feel certain he wouldn't mind. He will direct your question to Jesus. He is THE ANSWER.
Jesus may not always provide a personally acceptable answer to every question that may arise in our life, but if we're patient and just trust him, his Spirit will give us grace necessary to keep on walking in faith.
Do you remember Paul's statement at 2 Corinthians 12:7-10? He experienced a painful, life altering situation that three times he asked the Lord to remove, but Jesus refused saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So Paul learned to boast about his challenge because, over time, he realized that Jesus gave him power through it.
So, "WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?" is a legitimate concern that we have every right to ask. However, Jesus is God's answer to all the struggles that plague even men and women of great faith. God's unfailing love will always trump our greatest fear - if we allow his Spirit to give us the grace to see past the moment. HALLELUJAH!