There are some things in our Christian life which we think, some which we
hope, and some which we know. We know some, for they are assured to us
in God’s word, and we are fully persuaded that His word is true. Now
here is one of the things we know, know as a matter of certainty without
the possibility of doubt. We know that our labour is not in vain in the
Lord. It may often appear to us exceedingly feeble and defective: we may
be ashamed and humbled at its multiplied shortcomings: we may look back
upon it honeycombed, as it were, by mistakes: we may be conscious that we
have left undone those things that we ought to have done, and we may be
painfully aware that nothing has been done as it ought to have been done
for God, but still we are assured that it will not be in vain. When
Samuel was but a child, “the Lord was with him, and did let none of his
words fall to the ground,” {60a} and we may be sure that He will not let
one word spoken in His name fall to the ground now. If the Lord is with
you, no one thing that you ever do for Him will be in vain. You may not
see the fruit of it, or if you do it may be after years of waiting, but
the Lord knows all about it. He sees exactly what you are doing, or
saying, or giving, or praying, and the book of remembrance is written
before Him. You yourself may be one of God’s hidden ones, and in the day
when He makes up His jewels, {60b} you may meet then with others, hidden
like yourself, to whom your labour, however feeble, has been blessed in
His mercy. Cleave, then, to the work of the Lord without wavering. Let
no discouragements dishearten you, hold steadily on your way, faint yet
pursuing, being perfectly assured that what God has promised He is able
also to perform, and that even your poor service will not be in vain in
the Lord.