Not in vain

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.  – 1 Thessalonians 2.1-2

Some of us have ministries that make us wonder sometimes if it is even worth it. Paul and his team had faced all kinds of conflict and opposition. Their ministry was not easy. Apparently they too wondered whether or not their work was in vain.

It can be easy to think that when we don’t get to see much happening. We pray and work and do all we can and yet it can seem that nothing lasting or important happens.

Isaiah tells us that God’s work will never return void. God’s word will always do what He intended for it to do. He may not do what we think, but it won’t come back empty. Our work as we proclaim the word of God is never worthless.

So we have to stay at it. We can’t give up no matter how vain our work seems to our own eyes. Paul knew about what it meant to struggle – but he also knew the truth of what he wrote to the Corinthian believers.

Be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord because we know that our labour for the Lord is not in vain.

Despite the opposition they kept going – and it was surely not in vain.

So by God's grace may I remain steadfast and  unmoveable and always abounding in His great work.