Deuteronomy 4:32-40 / Matthew 16:24-28
Although we have not seen God with our eyes, yet we believe in Him.
We profess our faith in God because of many reasons.
It may be a spiritual experience or encounter.
It may be because of a prayer in urgent need that was answered.
But that faith in God has to grow and deepen along with time.
In the 1st reading, Moses reminded the people that God had revealed Himself to them by signs, wonders and with a mighty hand and outstretched arm.
So the people saw the signs and wonders, and they believed in God.
But their faith in God wavered every now and then, and so Moses urged them to keep the faith so that they and their children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord will give them.
Still, the people failed and fell, because they were tempted by their desires and by pleasures.
When Jesus came, He told His disciples that if they want to follow Him, they will have to renounce themselves and take up their cross.
Jesus goes on to say that anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, but anyone who loses his life for the sake of Jesus will find it.
So faith and belief are not based on rewards and prosperity.
It is about having a relationship with Jesus. It is about taking up cross to follow Jesus.
It does mean hardship and sacrifice, but a relationship with Jesus can only grow, be strengthened and deepened by accepting hardships and making sacrifices.
When all this is done for the sake of Jesus, then Jesus Himself will be our reward and that reward will be forever.