Isaiah 49:4

ON THE POSSIBILITY OF UNDERVALUING INFLUENCE [1495]

[1495] For many fine words of encouragement for Christian workers, see my Dictionary of Poetical Illustrations (usually referred to as P. D.), 1006, 2011, 2013, 2181, 2182, 2443, 2645, 2767, 2851, 3205, 3278, 3491.

Isaiah 49:4. Then I said, I have laboured in vain, &c.

Man will not only work, but he will sit in judgment upon the results of his labour. Accustomed to take the harvest-field as his rule of adjudication, he is not content merely to sow the seed and leave results with God; he must needs see an adequate return for the labour of his hands, else he will complain loudly and bitterly of misspent strength. This anxiety about results is not vicious in itself; it is, indeed, indicative of acute sensitiveness, and when properly controlled may keep a man from carelessness and stagnation. On the other hand, it may be abused and turned into an instrument of daily torture. The idea of a wasted life strikes horror into the reflective spirit. A man should truly be careful about this kind of thing—about the possibility of facing the King without any token that life has been well spent—about the possibility of having no proof that he ever lived, except that he is dead! But some persons give themselves much unnecessary pain by underrating their real service in the world. They mistakenly say—“I have,” &c. It has been very common to rebuke persons who over-estimate their position and service, and very bitter contempt has most justly been poured upon those who have used the words of modesty without having felt its spirit—under-rating themselves to entrap society into the payment of compliments. Still, there are some who throw their spirits into great disquiet by under-calculating their influence and falsely imagining that they have done little or no good in the world.

This question of good-doing is one of great subtlety. Quiet workers are apt to envy the man who lives before society in a great breadth of self-demonstration, and to under-rate themselves. There are mothers of large families who have no time to do what is generally known as church-work, who are shut up within the sanctuary of home to do work there which attracts no public attention, &c. Do you mean to say that you have spent your strength for nought and in vain? Far from it. Here is a young woman who for years has been afflicted; the day has been long and the night wearisome to her suffering flesh. When she hears of the doings of other people, the tear starts into her eye, and she says—“I have laboured in vain,” &c. Nay! she passes harsh judgment upon herself, &c. The sister, too, is apt to under-rate her influence, and mistakenly to mourn over a mis-spent life. The same principle applies to different classes of spiritual labourers. It applies to the teacher in the day-school and to the teacher in the Sunday-school. It applies to preachers of the Gospel in a peculiar sense. If they are truly called of God, they thus pass false judgment upon their lives.
The text shows the true comfort of those who mourn the littleness and emptiness of their lives—“My judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.” The whole case is referred to Him who judgeth righteously. God knows our purposes, our opportunities, and our endeavours, and He will perfect that which concerneth us. The intention of the heart which it was impracticable to realise will be set down to our favour as if we had accomplished it all.
This subject is fraught with very delicate, yet most potent comfort; it is also fraught with warning and rebuke. This is the children’s bread, and not a crumb of it must be given to dogs! Chief among those who must be warned of this comfort are the idlers—those who neglect themselves, neglect home, and neglect the church; and next to them must stand those who are conscious of doing much, yet who covet praise by depreciating their own labour.

The text must be reserved for hardworking, faithful people, who are not favoured with the immediate and visible results which gladden and strengthen some of their fellowlabourers. In the name of Him who did not lift up His voice, or cry in the streets, I would bid such people stand to their work till the bell strikes the ceasing hour.

1. Other men do not see the full result of their labour—they know not how many lamps are kindled by their torch. Did you ever hear of Thomas Barber? Probably not. His name is written but in pale ink on the world’s scroll, yet that man was the means of converting DR. ADAM CLARKE, one of the world’s deepest scholars and most luminous expositors of the Divine Word. Did you ever hear of Robert Burnard? Probably not; yet that good man laid hold of a drunken mason’s son in Plymouth workhouse, and watched over him with ever-helpful generosity, until that deaf pauper was known throughout the world as DR. JOHN KITTO. These are but two names out of a long roll. They show how even obscure names may be associated with stupendous results. Here is encouragement to continue all good work; “for as the rain cometh down,” &c.

2. I say with reverence that the Almighty Himself often appears to be spending His strength for nought and in vain. To Israel He saith, “All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” Again and again He uttered the voice of complaining: “The stork in the heavens,” &c. We are, then, as merely human labourers, not alone in our apparent failure. “My beloved hath a vineyard,” &c. This is apparent failure. Judge not the Divine worker by one thread of the immeasurable web which He is working, or by one stone of the majestic fabric which He is building. He carries great breadths of work before Him, and by reason of its vastness, delicacy, and grandeur, time is required. There are many signs of failure, but they are temporary, not final. Why, then, art thou cast down? &c. If I be true to my work, I can fail only as God fails—if the Church be sincere, she can fail only as Christ fails—if the spirit be upright, it can fail only as the Holy Ghost fails.—J. Parker, D.D.: Pulpit Analyst, vol. i. pp. 661–670.

I. The most faithful labourers may be for a time unsuccessful. Not absolutely, but comparatively. If our Lord and Master had occasion to say that He had laboured in vain, &c., we should not be surprised that we have occasion to use the same language. Is the servant above his Lord? It may not be our fault. The opposition of Satan and wicked men may be of such a character as for a time to frustrate our plans, and prevent our success.

II. Faithful labourers will ultimately be crowned with abundant success. It has been so, and will be so to the extent desired, with the Saviour (Isaiah 53:11). It will be so with His faithful workers. Not only can no true work done for God be in vain, but it will be rendered abundantly successful sooner or later. This we know from the promises of the “sure word” (Isaiah 55:10; Ecclesiastes 12:1, &c.; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 6:10).

III. Faithful labourers should commit their work to God in the assurance that they and their work will be accepted. Not on the ground of success, but in proportion to their faithfulness and self-denial. Let us never doubt—

1. God’s approval of our work. In all our labours, pursued with singleness of eye to His glory, we have His approving smile. He is not only acquainted with all we do, but He approves—takes pleasure in our services (Psalms 149:4; Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 13:16; Revelation 2:2). “I know thy works;” i.e., I approve of them—the meanest as well as the mightiest; the cup of cold water alike with the most costly sacrifice, &c.

2. God’s ultimate and full reward of our work (Galatians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:58). It is not as if we were to die, and never live again. There will be a resurrection, and we shall be fully recompensed then. In view of this we should be “in labours more abundant” and self-denying (Revelation 2:8). “I will give thee a crown of life”—an unfading, imperishable crown; life in its highest forms and manifestations; life eternal and ineffable, ever developing in all strength, and beauty, and joy, and perfection. This reward is certain, for He says “I will,” whose authority is indisputable, whose power is supreme, whose faithfulness is unchallenged. He will accomplish His own Word.

CONCLUSION.—

1. Let us not yield to discouragement, even though our work is comparatively unsuccessful. Jesus never did, and He is the model worker. Success is not the rule of action, but God’s command to “go work in My vineyard.” Press every energy into this service. Let no obstacles deter, no difficulties drive from the field.

“Do all the good you can,
In all the ways you can,
To all the folk you can,
At all the times you can,
And as long as you can.”

—Mrs. S. Glover.

3. Notwithstanding all the labour and prayer expended, some of you have not been prevailed upon to “repent and believe the Gospel.” “We then, as workers together with God, beseech you, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (1 Corinthians 6:1).—Alfred Tucker.