Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Isaiah 49:4 But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God."
THE GOSPEL IS (REALLY!) POWERFUL
There are many passages which picture the wonderful ability God's Word possesses to accomplish positive things in human hearts: "The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). "Is not my word like fire," declares the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 28:29). It's "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).
But is it really so? When we share His Word with others (friends, co-workers, family) but discern no visible results, we may tempted to wonder if it is really all that powerful and to doubt that it's the effective tool the Bible says it is.
Isn't interesting to note, in the verse above, how Isaiah prophesies that Jesus would be tempted to feel that way too? While He was in His lowly servant-form our Savior was tempted to grow discouraged when the words of love He spoke to people were met with a shrug of the shoulders and even bitter opposition. When He approached the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He saw it and lamented: "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19:42).
Yes, Jesus was subject to the temptation of thinking His work as the Savior was "in vain and for nothing." But, as Isaiah goes on to prophesy, He did not succumb. He continued to trust: "What is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God." He knew that His Father would use His sacrificial death on the cross as an effective tool for harvesting souls for heaven, and that made Him rejoice! (See Luke 10:21-22).
It gladdens our hearts too for the same reason. We know that just as the Holy Spirit used the Gospel to accomplish the wonder of bringing us to faith, so He will do for others through the Gospel we share with others. So we will continue to pray:
Fly abroad, eternal Gospel; Win and conquer, never cease.
May Thy lasting, wide dominions Multiply and still increase!
May Thy scepter Sway th' enlightened world around!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 505:3)
