Ever Feel Like You Labor In Vain or you're Unfruitful?
Just another encouraging look at the 'Heroes' of the Bible... they were not as perfect as we make them out to be... in fact they are a lot like us. They had hard times when they were depressed, down and even wanted to quit. So if you ever feel like that,... you are definitely NOT alone.
Jeremiah did : Jeremiah 15:16
"When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my hearts’ delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty. I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation. Why then is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? Will you be to me like a deceptive book, like a spring that fails? Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,’ declares the Lord."
Isaiah did : Isaiah 49:1-4
"Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, "you are my servant Israel, in whom I will display my splendor." 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."
Again Isaiah says : Isaiah 53:1
"Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
John the Baptist had doubts about his job:
"When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" This John said ever after he saw the Spirit fall on Jesus like a dove at baptism - but John didn't understand all that Jesus had come to do - John had preconceived notions about what Jesus would do.’
Paul wondered if he had missed it : Galatians 2:2
"Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain."
Asaph in the Psalms felt this : Psalms 73:13
"Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence."
Several times David felt like he had missed it and lost his confidence in God. Once he ran to the Philistine leaders and lied pretending to be insane. Another time he went to the enemy Philistines while running from Saul pretending to be an enemy of Israel.
Elijah even felt like quitting :
"Elijah was afraid and ran for his life . . . He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord, 'he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’
But remember Elijah was the only one with Moses when Jesus was transfigured in Mark 9:4. Elijah was one of the privileged two to visit Jesus and talk with Him when Jesus walked the earth as a man!
