When no one listens, how long would you continue to speak truth? Would you continue proclaiming the truth of God’s words. Isaiah was called by God to warn the people. Yet, God told him they would not listen. (Isaiah 6) Isaiah asked, “How long, Lord?” God’s reply “until everything has been brought to waste.” What? Until everything has been destroyed, knowing this! A remnant of true believers will be preserved. And from them will come the Messiah.
It was more than just the truth that the remnant would be saved. It was the fact that Jesus would come. That was the hope presented to and from Messiah. The truth of God spoken by Isaiah was going to one day be proclaimed to the Gentiles as well. The mystery of the gospel. Hidden in the past brought to light. The light of the world came; yet, men choose darkness.
The same could be said of all the prophets of old. They were commissioned to speak Truth from God and no one listened. Are we to be like them?
Isaiah 49
Listen to me, you coastlands![a]
Pay attention, you people who live far away!
The Lord summoned me from birth;[b]
he commissioned me when my mother brought me into the world.[c]
2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword,
he hid me in the hollow of his hand;
he made me like a sharpened[d] arrow,
he hid me in his quiver.[e]
3 He said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, through whom I will reveal my splendor.”[f]
4 But I thought,[g] “I have worked in vain;
I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing.”[h]
But the Lord will vindicate me;
my God will reward me.[i]
5 So now the Lord says,
the one who formed me from birth[j] to be his servant—
he did this[k] to restore Jacob to himself,
so that Israel might be gathered to him;
and I will be honored[l] in the Lord’s sight,
for my God is my source of strength[m]—
6 he says, “Is it too insignificant a task for you to be my servant,
to reestablish the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the remnant[n] of Israel?[o]
I will make you a light to the nations,[p]
so you can bring[q] my deliverance to the remote regions of the earth.”
7 This is what the Lord,
the Protector[r] of Israel, their Holy One,[s] says
to the one who is despised[t] and rejected[u] by nations,[v]
a servant of rulers:
“Kings will see and rise in respect,[w]
princes will bow down,
because of the faithful Lord,
the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you.” Isaiah 49 (NET)
Speak Truth! How long?
There are times when I wonder how long. How long do I keep writing? Am I to keep speaking when it seems no one listens? Often, it is my own recognition of my frailty and inadequacies that cause me to question. I plead for God to guide each word. The last thing I would ever want to do is be careless with His Words of Truth. Still, I find myself compelled to march on, speaking and writing for Him, prayerfully pleading He guide those words to whomever He chooses.
The harvest is not mine to know. But this is His promise to me and to you, He is faithful. He calls us to speak truth, even when no one listens. Our love for Him commands our hearts to speak of Him. We study His word, that we might grow in His knowledge so we may proclaim His truth to the world. He is truth and there is no other. Our Salvation, Our redeemer, our hope is found in Him, alone.
Speak Truth! How long if no one listens?
Remember these words when you get discouraged as though all your labors are in vain.
4 But I thought,[g] “I have worked in vain;
I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing.”[h]
But the Lord will vindicate me;
my God will reward me
How?
Looking to Jesus who is the author of our faith
Hebrews 12: 1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
He is all the strength you need to Speak Truth to a world not listening. Keep on for your labor is not in vain when it is to the Lord. He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
So, do not get discouraged and do not let Satan tell you that you are not good enough. Speak truth from God’s Word. Do what He calls you do, no matter what and even if no one is listening.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
CREDITS
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.