Psalm 65:8 Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.

On some levels it’s silly, but I’ve always taken this verse as referring to Japan. From the Western standpoint, Japan has always been the epitome of the Far East, indeed, “the ends of the earth.” (The Japanese says, “Those living at the extreme of the extreme.”) On top of that, the characters with which the name, Nippon, is written mean “origin of the sun,” that is, “land of the rising sun,” ie. “where morning dawns.” David certainly knew nothing of Japan, but the Holy Spirit did, since nothing is hidden from Him. The reason this encourages me is that this speaks of those living in Japan (as I take it) fearing God and singing for joy. I’m the second generation in my family committed to contributing to that happening. My father had been a missionary for 40 years at the point of his death, and I’ve been serving actively for 36 years so far. It is our family dream to see the Japanese fearing God and singing for joy to Him. If God could make David write about Japan when he couldn’t have imagined such a place, then He can certainly turn the hearts of the Japanese to Himself.

This is of course a very personal issue. Japan is certainly one of the most difficult fields of labor for Christian workers, not because of active opposition, physical danger, or even inconvenience, but because of spiritual barriers to faith and commitment. My mother told me that on at least one occasion my father prostrated himself on the floor, crying out to God, “God, if I am what is standing in the way of revival in Japan, then take me out of the way!” I certainly identify with that. Japan is quite reasonably called “the graveyard of missionaries,” but at the same time, people tend to fall in love with it. My parents are indeed buried in Japan, but that was their willing choice. I too expect to leave my physical remains here, but what is far more important, I expect and pray to leave a spiritual legacy in the hearts and lives of believers. My father left a university, but I’m sure he was far more concerned with the individual souls he led into the Kingdom. I will leave a church, at least, but for me too it’s the individual souls that matter most. I have a great abundance of opportunities for discouragement, but God is more than able to draw people to Himself in any circumstances, and I need to trust Him to do so, even using me. As He has told me personally, I need to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, allowing Him to use me to bring His kingdom to Japan for His glory.

Father, thank You for this encouraging reminder. We have a lot going on, especially through the end of the year, and exhaustion is a real issue. Help us wait in hope on You so that You may renew our strength as You have promised (Isaiah 20:31) and use us to draw many to Yourself, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!