Search
Like/Tweet/+1
Latest topics
Top posting users this week
No user |
Most active topic starters
Sonshine | ||||
amybyrd21 | ||||
12acrehome | ||||
Rohn | ||||
PATRICE IN IL | ||||
My1SqueakyShoe | ||||
7dawn | ||||
Harvey_Birdman | ||||
Mississippi Momma | ||||
dizzy |
I Have Labored in Vain
2 posters
Page 1 of 1
I Have Labored in Vain
by David Wilkerson:
Would it shock you to know that Jesus experienced the feeling of having accomplished little?
In Isaiah 49:4 we read these words: “Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain….” Note that these are not the words of Isaiah, who was called by God at a mature age. No, they are Christ’s own words, spoken by One “called…from the womb; from the body of my mother…The Lord…formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, (and to gather Israel)” (49:1, 5).
When I came upon this passage, one that I’d read many times before, my heart was in wonder. I could hardly believe what I was reading. Jesus’ words here about “laboring in vain” were a response to the Father who had just declared, “Thou art my servant…in whom I will be glorified” (49:3). We read Jesus’ surprising response in the next verse: “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought” (49:4).
After reading this, I stood to my feet in my study and said, “How wonderful. I can hardly believe that Christ was this vulnerable, confessing to the Father that he was experiencing what we humans face. In his humanity, he tasted the same discouragement, the same despondency, the same woundedness. He was having the same thoughts I’ve had about my own life: ‘This isn’t what I perceived was promised. I wasted my strength. It has all been in vain.’”
Reading those words made me love Jesus all the more. I realized Hebrews 4:15 is not just a cliché: our Savior truly is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, and was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. He’d known this very same temptation from Satan, hearing the same accusing voice: “Your mission is not accomplished. Your life has been a failure. You’ve got nothing to show for all your labors.”
Christ came into the world to fulfill the will of God by reviving Israel. And he did just as he was commanded. But Israel rejected him: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11).
Why would Jesus, or any man or woman of God, speak such despairing words as these: “I have labored in vain”? How could the Son of God make such a statement? And why have generations of faithful believers been reduced to such despondent words? It is all the result of measuring little results against high expectations.
You may think, “This message sounds like it applies just to ministers, or to those called to do some great work for God. I can see it being meant for missionaries or the Bible prophets. But what does it have to do with me?” The truth is, we’re all called to one grand, common purpose, and to one ministry: that is, to be like Jesus. We are called to grow in his likeness, to be changed into his express image.
(a note from Katrina)
How well I know the feeling. I spent over 20 years ministering to children and to some extent adults, only to feel like I have labored in vain on too many occassions to remember. But then God will send someone back in my life that share with me that it was something the Lord led me to say or do that was a turning point in their lives. The enemy wants us to feel impotent, but when we remember that as long as we are doing as the Lord leads, then He's the one ministering and we are His tools. He knows the best way to meet the needs of each of us, and each of the people He sends our way to minister to. Just be obedient and your work will not be in vain.
Would it shock you to know that Jesus experienced the feeling of having accomplished little?
In Isaiah 49:4 we read these words: “Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain….” Note that these are not the words of Isaiah, who was called by God at a mature age. No, they are Christ’s own words, spoken by One “called…from the womb; from the body of my mother…The Lord…formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, (and to gather Israel)” (49:1, 5).
When I came upon this passage, one that I’d read many times before, my heart was in wonder. I could hardly believe what I was reading. Jesus’ words here about “laboring in vain” were a response to the Father who had just declared, “Thou art my servant…in whom I will be glorified” (49:3). We read Jesus’ surprising response in the next verse: “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought” (49:4).
After reading this, I stood to my feet in my study and said, “How wonderful. I can hardly believe that Christ was this vulnerable, confessing to the Father that he was experiencing what we humans face. In his humanity, he tasted the same discouragement, the same despondency, the same woundedness. He was having the same thoughts I’ve had about my own life: ‘This isn’t what I perceived was promised. I wasted my strength. It has all been in vain.’”
Reading those words made me love Jesus all the more. I realized Hebrews 4:15 is not just a cliché: our Savior truly is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, and was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. He’d known this very same temptation from Satan, hearing the same accusing voice: “Your mission is not accomplished. Your life has been a failure. You’ve got nothing to show for all your labors.”
Christ came into the world to fulfill the will of God by reviving Israel. And he did just as he was commanded. But Israel rejected him: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11).
Why would Jesus, or any man or woman of God, speak such despairing words as these: “I have labored in vain”? How could the Son of God make such a statement? And why have generations of faithful believers been reduced to such despondent words? It is all the result of measuring little results against high expectations.
You may think, “This message sounds like it applies just to ministers, or to those called to do some great work for God. I can see it being meant for missionaries or the Bible prophets. But what does it have to do with me?” The truth is, we’re all called to one grand, common purpose, and to one ministry: that is, to be like Jesus. We are called to grow in his likeness, to be changed into his express image.
(a note from Katrina)
How well I know the feeling. I spent over 20 years ministering to children and to some extent adults, only to feel like I have labored in vain on too many occassions to remember. But then God will send someone back in my life that share with me that it was something the Lord led me to say or do that was a turning point in their lives. The enemy wants us to feel impotent, but when we remember that as long as we are doing as the Lord leads, then He's the one ministering and we are His tools. He knows the best way to meet the needs of each of us, and each of the people He sends our way to minister to. Just be obedient and your work will not be in vain.
Re: I Have Labored in Vain
I have felt this way resently,and this word speaks to me. Thanks
squeezinby- Posts : 267
Join date : 2009-05-08
Age : 58
Location : Texas
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Mon Jun 11, 2018 2:24 am by michae1
» Facebook page
Sun Feb 11, 2018 9:19 am by dizzy
» Hilarious video A little garden fun by the cowboy poet Baxter Black
Fri Jun 17, 2016 12:54 am by mountainmama
» An Insurrection Coming
Sat Apr 16, 2016 6:52 am by 12acrehome
» Patrice's Patch Garden Journal
Sat Apr 02, 2016 8:47 am by PATRICE IN IL
» lambs and ewes
Wed Mar 23, 2016 11:46 pm by Farmfresh
» Irish Cuisine Class/Demonstration Recipes
Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:13 am by PATRICE IN IL
» Prayer request for my dh's aunt
Fri Mar 04, 2016 8:55 pm by PATRICE IN IL
» How has your day been and what's for dinner...................
Mon Feb 29, 2016 5:43 am by PATRICE IN IL