To answer the weakness of His people in their journey, God gives many helps and encouragements along the way. Some of them come through His intervention in providence: He eases their burdens, blesses their endeavors, strengthens their hands and hearts, and brings the aid of others to uphold their weary souls. But God's primary means of encouraging His people is through His Word, and it is there that He tells them "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor 15:58).

There is a call. --It is a call to labor. Not all kinds of labor are here encouraged, for there are many works that are immoral, vain, or otherwise improper. Many labor against the kingdom of God and its principles of morality. Many labor to lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal (Matt 6:19). Still many, as the foolish rich man, live to build themselves bigger barns, not considering that in a moment their lives may be required of them (Luke 12:16-21). To many, God can say, whether in the physical or spiritual sense, "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes" (Haggai 1:6). The multitude of things that man strives for, though they may temporarily fill his belly, can never fill his heart, and--

With Solomon, many who labor to indulge themselves with pleasures and possessions will say in the end, "Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun" (Eccl 2:11).

The call, therefore, is a call to labor in the Lord. This does not only intend works of a directly religious nature but all works that bring glory to God. God has ordained such labor from the time of creation, when He placed the very first man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it (Genesis 2:15). Whether in the home, the workplace, the church, the school, or any other setting, we are to perform our works as unto Him. "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" (Col 3:23-24). We are to view our labors as if Christ were our employer, looking not for selfish gain but for the advancement of His kingdom. We are to seek to promote His cause in all of our endeavors, knowing that whatever we do in this world reflects upon His name. We are to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Matt 6:33), not to laboring for the food that perishes but for the food that endures to everlasting life (John 6:27). We are placed in this world with a work to do within a brief time, so we are called to say with Jesus, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34).

The command is to be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." The picture is one of standing firm in our labors in the presence of opposing forces. When the fiercest storms come, it is the trees with deep roots that are able to stand. It is the house that is built upon the rock that withstands the wind, the rain, and the floods. Similarly, those who hear Christ's teachings and do them are steadfast (Matt 7:24-27). They are attacked, but they stand. Although they sometimes feel as if they will be blown over, their foundation keeps them to the end. Their leaves may be shaken and their branches tossed by the wind, but they are not defeated. They say with Paul, "We labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat" (1 Cor 4:12).

But what is clear in principle is often difficult in practice. Although man once enjoyed delightful labor in a beautiful garden, he is now faced with difficult labor in a dangerous battlefield. Since man fell into sin, the ground yields thorns and thistles, and labor comes by the sweat of the brow (Gen 3:17-19). There are also forces of evil against the people of God, and their own remaining sin plagues them. They are subject to weariness, infirmity, and despondency. They face battles that, in themselves, they cannot win, and they sometimes feel as if they strive to no avail. Therefore--

There is a motivation. --Our labor is not in vain in the Lord. God knows that we may feel as if it is, so He makes this infallible promise. There is no word spoken, no comfort given, no fellowship shared, no effort made, no task done, even the most mundane, that will ever be in vain if it is faithfully done for Him. He promises that there is a purpose to our labors and that He will bless them. He has said, "When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you" (Psalm 128:2). He turns our burdens of sorrow into labors of love (cf. 1 Thes 1:3), and there is no work that we can do for Him for which He will not shower His blessings in return. So as Paul, we can live and work, knowing that our labor will be fruitful. "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor" (Phil 1:21-22).

Our view of eternity is the greatest influence on our conduct in time; therefore, the greatest encouragement in our labors for the Lord regards the age to come. The day is coming when God's people will be transformed into His glorious likeness. They will be made like Him, for they will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). They will inherit eternal life, never again to be subject to suffering, sin, corruption or death. "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed --in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Cor 15:51-52). In that day, the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matt 13:43). How small our current burdens will seem in that day! How insignificant any effort that we have spent in our labors! "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom 8:18).

Those of us on earth have at least one advantage over those in heaven--that men may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt 5:16). Let us, then, labor for God from the heart. "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Gal 6:9). The eternal reward is near, even at the very door. The time is short, so let us set aside the distractions that waste time and the attitudes that lead to procrastination. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going" (Eccl 9:10). If you are not Christ's, then seek Him for salvation, trusting in His words: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt 11:28-30).