The Mirror of the Word by C.E. White can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Word-Devotions-Reveal-Refine/dp/B0DFZS83C7  To learn more about this author and other words, visit https://cewhitebooks.com/

“But I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and futility; nevertheless, the justice due to me is with the Lord, and my reward is with my God.’”

—Isaiah 49:4

This is a prophetic chapter about Jesus, so the “I” refers to Jesus himself.

Isn’t it comforting to see that even Jesus would be tempted to believe that his work wouldn’t amount to anything? All the rejection he would face was discouragement even to him, but the verse ends with a statement of faith.

This tells us it’s okay to say, “It feels hopeless and like I’m working for nothing, but God is with me, and my reward is from him.”

It’s not a sin to be discouraged, but it is a sin to allow that discouragement to keep us from obedience or lead us into sinful attitudes like anger or resentment; that’s when it becomes distrust in the Lord’s plan.

We can’t always help how we feel, but we can acknowledge those feelings without shame, take them to the Lord, and take our thoughts captive by ending with those statements of faith. We can give ourselves grace in the discouragement and still act in faith.

When it seems like we’re working for nothing, no one notices, others think we’re not doing enough or not doing things right, and there’s no tangible reward, we can know the Lord is right there with us, and our reward is with him. It’s nice to be recognized and rewarded here on this earth, and sometimes that happens too.

But sometimes we don’t get to see our impact until we reach eternity with him, and that’s enough when he is our aim and we’ve put away the desire for this world.

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