06/08/2026
Pastor Tim's Morning Devotion
But I said, ‘I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my cause is with the LORD,
and my reward with my God.’ Isaiah 49:4
I distinctly remember my first big ministry failure. It was many years ago at my first church. It was an event that we planned for families and youth. Two other churches were involved as well. We had put together our plans, prepared materials, had snacks there… and then, nobody showed. Not a single person. Zero. And I remember one of my colleagues saying, “well, we celebrate the labors if not the fruits.” To be honest, I found the comment to be small consolation at the time, but over the years, it has resonated with me more and I have come to see more and more the truth of it.
In whatever we do, in ministry or in any other field or activity, we don’t always see the fruits of our labors. We work hard at something, but it just doesn’t bring about what we had hoped for. And we are a results oriented world and culture. And so to not see immediate results – or maybe even results at all – can be disheartening.
But so often how things work out can be out of our control. We don’t determine what fruit comes about. And yes, the work and the efforts are to be celebrated. Because they have been done in good faith and to the best of our abilities. And besides, we never know what impact our efforts can make down the line. We may have planted some seed that will take root and grow at some point in the future. And perhaps we will not even be able to see it one day bear fruit. And even if those seeds never bear fruit, we probably have learned and grown in some way through what we have done. And we trust that God has been at work bringing about his good purpose through our efforts.
Prayer: Eternal God, it can be disappointing to not see our work always produce results. But we trust that we labor to your glory and that you are at work in all that we do. For we pray through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
