“Then I said, "For how long, Lord?" And He answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged.” Isaiah 6:11
Are you wondering whether you should give up witnessing to family members or friends after multiple fruitless attempts to share the gospel? Have you earnestly asked God how long you should continue to plead with people who show no outward expression of any impact your efforts are making? If so, you’re in good company! Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying in Isaiah 6, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah’s eager reply was, “Here am I. Send me!” But he also wanted to know how long he was supposed to share the message.
I love God’s reply: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted.” For how long? Until there’s no one left to listen. That’s pretty clear. While in reality, sharing Christ can seem more like drudgery than delight, we can’t allow people’s rejection of the gospel to dishearten us from His command to be witnesses to those He allows to cross our paths.
Recalling God’s promise from Psalm 126:6 may provide us with the inspiration we need when confronted by apathy: “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” Let this verse compel you not to give way to apathy yourself. But, with renewed heartfelt compassion, continue to sow His word in tears, trusting God to do the rest in His timing.
Father, help us to sense the urgency in sharing the gospel message and to take advantage of each opportunity to share Christ as Your Holy Spirit leads. Amen.
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If you’ve lost your passion to share the gospel, ask God to rekindle that spark until it becomes a torch, lighting the way for others to Christ.