Good morning -
Some things just take time. In our high-speed, high-tech era we expect instant results from simple plans and formulas. That mentality runs contrary to spiritual realities. Note these words from Jeremiah:
"The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (that was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, "From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, these twenty-three years the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened." (Jeremiah 24:1-3)
God had spoken to Jeremiah and Jeremiah was faithful to declare His message for a period of twenty-three years, and yet without response. Sadly, seventy years of exile and hardship resulted for failing to respond.
As I read Jeremiah's words I realized that I've served in pastoral ministry for approximately the same time that Jeremiah emphasized one message to one group of people. By comparison, I've pastored in a variety of places as I've sought to faithfully share God's message, but my perseverance pales in comparison to Jeremiah's. To stay in the same place for that period of time and declare the same message to an unresponsive people requires supernatural strength and perseverance.
It's somewhat of a well-worn statement but true nonetheless: God calls us, not to results, but to faithfulness. God alone is in the "results business" and even at that will not force His will upon the unresponsive. His work bears fruit according to His plan and timetable, not ours.
I've seen or been involved in many worthwhile ministry pursuits that had indication of the presence and blessing of God, and yet there were few visible "people responses". Some would label these efforts as failures because the numbers weren't there. If that is the criteria for "success", then Jeremiah, Noah and many of the great people of faith were failures. Yet they are commended, not because of the results, but their faithfulness.
You are likely involved in some ministry or service that you felt called to, but the results may not be as you expected. Perhaps you have faithfully served for a long time in the same way with little results. The world might label your efforts as unsuccessful and might even label you as a failure. The Lord's evaluation is different than the world's so, "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." (Galatians 6:9). Whether in this age or the age to come, we'll see the Lord's good results in His good time.
Looking in faith to the faithful One,
Pastor Steve
Some things just take time. In our high-speed, high-tech era we expect instant results from simple plans and formulas. That mentality runs contrary to spiritual realities. Note these words from Jeremiah:
"The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (that was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, "From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, these twenty-three years the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened." (Jeremiah 24:1-3)
God had spoken to Jeremiah and Jeremiah was faithful to declare His message for a period of twenty-three years, and yet without response. Sadly, seventy years of exile and hardship resulted for failing to respond.
As I read Jeremiah's words I realized that I've served in pastoral ministry for approximately the same time that Jeremiah emphasized one message to one group of people. By comparison, I've pastored in a variety of places as I've sought to faithfully share God's message, but my perseverance pales in comparison to Jeremiah's. To stay in the same place for that period of time and declare the same message to an unresponsive people requires supernatural strength and perseverance.
It's somewhat of a well-worn statement but true nonetheless: God calls us, not to results, but to faithfulness. God alone is in the "results business" and even at that will not force His will upon the unresponsive. His work bears fruit according to His plan and timetable, not ours.
I've seen or been involved in many worthwhile ministry pursuits that had indication of the presence and blessing of God, and yet there were few visible "people responses". Some would label these efforts as failures because the numbers weren't there. If that is the criteria for "success", then Jeremiah, Noah and many of the great people of faith were failures. Yet they are commended, not because of the results, but their faithfulness.
You are likely involved in some ministry or service that you felt called to, but the results may not be as you expected. Perhaps you have faithfully served for a long time in the same way with little results. The world might label your efforts as unsuccessful and might even label you as a failure. The Lord's evaluation is different than the world's so, "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." (Galatians 6:9). Whether in this age or the age to come, we'll see the Lord's good results in His good time.
Looking in faith to the faithful One,
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 3:34 PM
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