God Does Not Overlook Your Work 1 Corinthians 15

Your Nightly Prayer

God Does Not Overlook Your Work
Your Nightly Prayer
by Peyton Garland

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.” - 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Despite the hypocritical nature of humans—our ability to change camps or pursue “greener” pastures without a thought for others—we can’t displace our cynicism, wariness, and distrust of fallen people onto God. We can’t assume God is as swayed as we are, either. It’s not only a disrespectful slight to Him and His good nature, but it’s a disservice to our hearts when we are in the valleys of shadows and death (Psalm 23) and need to know that God sees us and the small, seemingly insignificant steps we take in faith. Though pride easily creeps into our hearts, in these hard moments, we often aren’t looking to God from a flashy place, demanding that He praise our efforts. Rather, we are asking, “Do you see me? Do you care that this is all the strength I can muster?”

When we feel that God has overlooked us, no matter the difficult season or the degree of effort we have put into our faith, it’s easy to fall into a skeptical silence, bringing our anxiety, frustration, and confusion into our relationship with God. It’s only a natural response to the world we live in, but as believers, we are called to renew our minds daily and remind ourselves of God’s nature (Romans 12:2). This means that we are to know Scripture, truly know it, by studying it from a place of desperate pursuit. When our hearts are determined to understand who God is, even and especially when our flesh wants to blame Him for hard times, we are practicing raw, unfiltered, humble obedience. We are putting in the work to honor God by actively trusting His good, sovereign will in our lives. And in this work, we are granted the gift that saves and preserves us: truth wrapped in grace.

Our Scripture tonight reminds us that the Lord never allows our labor to be in vain, that God honors our commitment to His kingdom. Psalm 84:11 (ESV) affirms this truth when it says, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." Dear friend, God does not overlook your work, no matter how small, no matter how hard, no matter how exhausting it might seem. Not only does He see your efforts, but He rewards them with His glory and power. Rest in this truth today. Rest in the unchanging, loving, preserving nature of our good God.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord,
As the day ends and we reflect on the long, tedious efforts we put into everything—work, our spouse, our children, our community, and our faith—may we rest in the knowledge that you see us. You not only see us, but you play an active role in rewarding our efforts with your favor and peace. Allow us to take your peace captive, to secure it in our hearts when we face times that feel unbearable. Grant us your power, strength, and discernment as we lean into your nature and continue to show up day after day with humble obedience to your will. Thank you for redeeming us, Lord, and for ensuring our steps of faith, no matter how unimpressive, are not in vain. We love you, Jesus.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

Consider all of the responsibilities you have. Have these responsibilities become a burden, perhaps making you bitter? If so, reflect upon whether you have displaced this bitterness onto your relationship with God.
Write down all the ways God could be using this season to work through you. This might look like growing your patience, healing a broken relationship, or even sacrificing being seen so someone else feels recognized and known.
Prayerfully journal through what it might look like to walk in faithful obedience, no matter how you feel, and how that faithfulness could transform your walk with Christ.

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Peyton Garland is an author, editor, and boy mama who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. Subscribe to her blog Uncured+Okay for more encouragement.

For the one who is weary without answers. If you’re still showing up and still praying — but starting to wonder if it’s working — this 90-day devotional will meet you right there, with honesty and Scripture in place of easy answers.