I Have Labored in Vain... the Wayfarer 3/31/16

I Have  Labored in Vain
3/31/16

"Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain; yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God."

(Isaiah 49:4)

Even as Isaiah noted that God was using him as had been intended from birth, that his own function had been blessed and planned by God, yet and still, he lamented the lack of effect or even notice of the work he had been given to do by the people to whom he had been sent.

Attention given to his prophecies, and warnings were not being taken seriously, were not heeded as the evil within his people continued, and grew without remorse, without repentance, assuring that redemption would be withheld and the condemnation prophesied must come to pass.

In view of this complaint, voiced by Isaiah, (one also voiced constantly today by many, including this old preacher, far too often), God responded:

"And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and

my God shall be my strength.

And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, unto the end of the earth.

Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, th him whom the nation abhoreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

Thus saith the Lord, In and acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

And I will make all my mountains a way, and my high ways shall be exhalted."

(Isaiah 49:5-11)

No labor for God, no work done that is expended in the effort to return His people to their intended place of protection and obedience is ever in vain!

Far too often men tire, as did Isaiah, as no effect is seen by them to have taken place, despite the on going effort to make a difference, to return those people to the love intended for them.

The same applies constantly to the teacher in the classroom where no student seems to pay attention, to the construction worker whose blueprints are changed after the expenditure of sweat, to the doctor that has tried so many treatments to cure a disease, without denting the effects of that disease, to the soldier on the field of battle that sees only wave after wave of attack, doing his job, staying alive to do it yet again, and again, simply to hold what little gain has already been made, or worse, is forced to relinquish ground gained only to have to retake it once it has been occupied by those trying their best to kill him.

The same tiredness and seeming lack of progress pertains to the parent whose child refuses correction, refuses to listen, refuses to comprehend the love given by that parent, in an attempt to make the future better, than that experienced by the parent as the child makes the same mistakes made by parents, grandparents, and generations that refused to learn from those mistakes, some seemingly small, and of no real harm, others that lead to the dangers of death to both body and soul.

God's promise to Isaiah, to hear his lamentations, and to make his work worthy, and far from futile, is the same promise made by Christ Jesus to us as well.

When the alligators in the swamp being drained attack, they must be defeated, yet the original task of draining that swamp remains.

Focus must always be on the task given, and on the assistance that is assured us, as it was Isaiah in this passage used today.

The promise extends beyond merely hearing the pleas for help, at an appropriate time, to the actual help, and salvation; preservation, despite the tiredness and weariness that threatens to take all zeal from those who allow it to be stolen in the face of adversity.

"And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children , or lands for my sake, and the gospel's,

But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life,

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

(Mark 10:26-31)

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus,

Amen and Amen
 the Wayfarer