Don’t Give Up Your Service

We can serve God in many different ways—in our families, at church, at
school, and beyond. But sometimes, we can get discouraged when we feel like
our service is not appreciated. We might feel like the prophet Isaiah when
he said, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for
nothing and to no purpose” (Isaiah 49:4). For instance, we might help
someone in need and never hear a “thank you” from them. I know a young man
who helps an elderly lady, but she never seems to voice appreciation;
instead, her words sound more like complaining, and this has been so
discouraging to him. There have been times when we’ve tried to encourage
others to come out of sin, to be committed to God, and to come to
church…but we haven’t seen results, at least not right away, and this has
also been so discouraging. In situations like these, we sometimes think
that God Himself does not appreciate our service, so we feel like giving up
because it seems all our efforts are being wasted. But God takes notice of
everything we do for Him. Going back to Isaiah 49, after Isaiah complained
of having labored in vain, he said, “Yet I leave it all in the LORD’s hand;
I will trust God for my reward” (verse 4). The words of Jesus in Mark 9:41
are similar; Jesus says that a person who gives just a cup of water to one
of His followers will not lose their reward. We can continue doing the
Lord’s work—and not give up—as we remember that every little thing we do
for Him matters, as it says in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “nothing you do for the
Lord is ever useless.” So let us be encouraged that our labor in the Lord
is not in vain, even when things don’t seem to be going right every time we
serve, because God takes notice of everything we do for Him. • Enid Adah
Nyinomujuni • Have you ever tried to serve others, but it didn’t seem to be
doing any good? • When you’re feeling discouraged, how could it be helpful
to remember that God appreciates your hard work, even when others don’t?
For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him
and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as
you still do. Hebrews 6:10 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Isa.49.1-Isa.49.7|Mark.9.41|Heb.6.10