Isaiah 49:4 But I said, “I have labored in vain;
    I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,
    and my reward is with my God.”

I feel sure I’ve written on this before, because it’s something just about every servant of the Lord feels from time to time. We don’t feel we are getting a proportional response to the effort we are putting into serving God. However, there are several things we need to remember. In the first place, our effort, our strength, is meaningless when compared to God’s omnipotence. It is actually miraculous that He allows us to participate in what He does! In the second place, God doesn’t actually need our service; it is by His grace that He allows us to serve Him. And all of that comes back to the reality that God is not unfair; He does bless us for our commitment and faithfulness. We don’t have to worry what the score is when God’s the scorekeeper! I have long been impressed by the example of the sons of Zebedee, James and John. They both gave their lives in total commitment to their Lord Jesus, but James did it all at once, by the sword of Herod, whereas John gave his life one day at a time, for over 90 years. I don’t think that difference changes their ranking in heaven! In many ways, James had the easier path, but that’s not ours to choose. We are called to faithfulness, whatever seems to be going on from our perspective.

This is very close to home, considering my parents’ commitment to God as missionaries, as well as my own. We haven’t seen the harvest we have desired, and this verse rings true. That said, there are little steps along the way that make it clear God doesn’t forget His servants. Just yesterday my wife and I were ministering to a 99-year-old lady who heard the Gospel as a young girl, but had never made a clear commitment to Christ. We sang Christmas songs with her, and when I prayed for her, for Jesus to be born in her heart, she was joyfully in agreement. I know I’ll see her before the throne! There are others to whom I have been ministering for a long time, and I believe the moment of their acceptance of the Gospel will come too. I am never to give up, but operate in the strength God supplies and leave the results up to Him, for His glory.

Father, thank You for yesterday, Thank You for Your gracious faithfulness to me. Just recently You have been pouring out material blessings, but these spiritual blessings are far more important! I do pray for more and more harvest, even in this Christmas season, so that Your house may be full, as You desire, (Luke 14:23) for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!