1 Corinthians 15:58 ‘Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.’
DAILY READING; James 5; Jeremiah 29-30; Psalm 133
Adoniram Judson was America’s first missionary to an overseas nation in the 19th century. He gave almost 40 years of his life serving the people of Burma. He produced the first and only translation of the Old and New Testament into the Burmese language.
This translation took him nine painstaking years. However just as he completed the work, war broke out between Burma and Britain. As a result of this, the government of Burma began arresting the British and American citizens in their nation.
One day Adoniram’s home was suddenly invaded by soldiers who hauled him off to prison.
After Adoniram’s arrest, his faithful wife gathered her husband’s New Testament manuscripts and quickly buried them in the garden, to avoid it being discovered and destroyed by the soldiers. But soon realizing the papers would rot under the soil, she dug them up and sewed them into the lining of an old pillow.
When she was allowed to visit her husband, she brought the pillow to him. Not suspecting the content of the old pillow, the guards allowed Adoniram to keep it.
However, one early morning, without warning, soldiers came suddenly to move Adoniram to another prison. Despite his pleas to be allowed to take along the pillow, he was forced to leave it behind. Outwardly, it looked like Adoniram’s work of many years was lost. Yet God was at work to ensure his labor was not in vain.
Days later, one of Adoniram’s new converts who often visited him in prison, came around and learnt he had been transferred out. As this man was leaving the prison, he recognized Adoniram’s old pillow, tossed out in the trash!
He picked it up and later returned the pillow to Adoniram’s wife. She rejoiced to receive it and when she ripped open the pillow – there safe inside, was the translated Bible.
After some time in the new prison, Adoniram was finally released to go home. His joy knew no bounds when he learned about the miraculous recovery of his precious manuscripts. Somehow, God had ensured that his years of labour had not been fruitless.
He was able to finally complete and publish the work, and it remains today, the only translation of the Bible into the Burmese language.
Often times we may be confronted with situations that make it look as if our labor has all been in vain.
However, as a believer, you have to have faith in God’s promise that says you shall not build, and another inhabit; you shall not plant, and another eat: God says you shall long enjoy the work of your hands and you shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; [Isaiah 65:22-23]
When you are in right relationship and position with God, you can always trust the fulfillment of His Word.
Do not let the enemy,, your own thoughts, or anyone else tell you anything different. Refuse to be wearied in well doing because in due season you shall surely reap, as you stay connected to God through faith.
Faith is the foundation for the fulfilment of every vision. It is the key for the realization of every mission, dream and purpose.
Therefore in every situation, let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised. (Hebrews 10:23).
Perhaps today, you are pursuing visions and dreams that God put in your heart, but currently every circumstance says, it is never going to happen. Continue to dare to believe God’s Word. Let God be true and let every devil be a liar.
Certainly, God is not a man, that He should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent. What He has spoken, He is able to perform. What God started in your life He is able to finish. His resources are endless, and His power and love know no boundaries.
Even where you can’t see any progress, continue to trust the process that births the promise.
By faith keep calling those things that be not as though they were. The odds may seem against you today, but don’t let the circumstances fool you. Though outwardly, it may seem as if nothing is happening, inwardly a lot is going on. Though the ground may seem still, it does not mean the earth is not moving. God is working, even when you can’t trace Him. Therefore stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Don’t vacillate in your belief when things get tough. Your greater blessing is coming! Your setback is only a set up for a comeback!
As a person of vision, you are unstoppable. You are headed for your place in destiny and as long as you remain strong in faith, it is only a matter of time before you arrive there.
Therefore keep thanking God in that situation, even if it may look as if it is not improving. Keep speaking prophetically because the clouds are filling up with rain. Keep doing the right thing because your day of manifestation is coming.
As you remain strong in faith, giving glory to God, you shall see the fruits of your labour and surely recover all in this season.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to make Your Word top priority in my life, so that I can always walk by faith, and not by sight. By Your grace, I shall surely eat the fruit of my labor in every of my endeavors in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE
There is more to you than meets the eyes. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. – WORDBITE 222.