II Chronicles 15:7 “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.”
Adoniram Judson, nineteenth century missionary to Burma, was determined to remain faithful to his calling through doubt and discouragement. Even though he didn’t see a single convert in the first six years of his ministry, he continued on faithfully. By the time of his death, he left behind dozens of churches, thousands of Christians, the first-ever Burmese-English dictionary, and a Burmese translation of the Bible. The fruit came because he didn’t leave. Through the challenges of his ministry, Judson said “I will not leave Burma until the cross is planted here forever.” Two centuries have passed since his arrival in South Asia, and the gospel of Christ continues to thrive in his absence … all because he didn’t give up.
Judson’s work was rewarded because he was strong in the Lord and refused to let weakness overcome him. His dogged determination to serve Christ, even in the absence of visible progress, allowed God to use him in a mighty way.
American Christian, your work will be rewarded if you are strong, faithful, and determined. Your prayers will be rewarded if you are similarly strong, faithful and determined. Your work to return this country to its Christ-centered foundation may not yet have yielded any visible fruit. Your prayers for nationwide repentance and revival may not yet have produced any visible progress. Yet, God will work through us if we remain strong, faithful, and determined. He will produce amazing fruit if we stave off weakness, doubt, and discouragement. Indeed, He is already working though we may not see it. Don’t give up on Him. The moment we give in to weakness may be the moment before God’s Spirit is ready to sweep over this land.
PLEASE PRAY FOR STRENGTH, FAITHFULNESS, AND DETERMINATION TO REMAIN COMMITTED AND PRAYERFUL. Our work shall be rewarded!
NOTE: Last week on Twitter and Facebook I kicked off a new PLUS campaign – IF YOU’RE ALARMED, SET YOUR ALARM! This week’s thought – If you’re alarmed (by an American citizen being jailed for sincerely held religious beliefs), set your alarm (to pray for our nation).
