DEVOTION – DAY 347

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Laboring For God Is Never In Vain”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

God resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead as proof that His work on the cross had been accomplished. His shed blood had atoned for the sins of all who called upon Him as their Lord and Savior. Thus, every Christian who identifies with the Lord’s death, by dying to sin when they confessed and repented, is also raised to a new life in Christ. Therefore, as 1 Cor.15:58 reminds us, that all service for the Lord will never return empty. It is not a useless activity. We do not labor in vain. All our efforts in serving the Lord are our investments in His purposes. They will bear fruit for it is ultimately His work. And He will reward us when He returns. So, we are to stand firm and continue serving Him even though we do not see immediate results.

John Allen Chau was an American evangelist. He joined the US Based evangelical organization, All Nation. He was trained to reach hostile unreached tribal peoples. His plan was to reach out to the aboriginal tribe of people living on the remote North Sentinel Island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that was under the control of the Indian government. In Oct 2018, John travelled to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He prepared to stock up on supplies, gifts for the Sentinelese etc. He found out that North Sentinel Island was under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act 1956 and it was off limits to any visitors. This was to safeguard its inhabitants from contact with outsiders, to prevent their exposure to infectious diseases.

But John was determined to visit North Sentinel Island. He bribed 2 local fishermen to take him close to the island. Before he set out, he wrote in his diary, “Lord, is this island Satan’s last stronghold, where none have heard or even had a chance to hear your name? The eternal lives of this tribe is at hand and I think it is worthwhile to declare Jesus to these people. Please do not be angry at them or at God if I get killed. Don’t retrieve my body.” John left his diary behind with a friend in Port Blair as he set off with the local fishermen. He met some Sentinelese on Nov 15 but left the island quickly after they became hostile. He returned again on Nov 16 and stayed longer but had to leave because a small boy shot an arrow that pierced the Bible he was carrying across his chest. On Nov 17, he again landed on the island and this time, he failed to return. His body was seen on the shore. His body was never recovered. When news broke of his death, some called him foolish. Others called him a martyr. But 1 Cor.15:58 remains a comfort to his family that his work is not in vain, for his death may open the way for others to reach the Sentinelese for their salvation.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we trust that You are Sovereign and all service for you are never in vain. We may not see fruits in our lifetime from our labors for you, but we trust that every effort will bear fruit in your perfect timing. We pray this in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. How are you serving the Lord currently? Are you discouraged because progress is slow and you do not see much fruit? Share.
  2. How does 1 Cor.15:58 encourage you about not laboring in vain?
  3. How has the Lord multiplied your efforts manifold through your past services for Him? Share.