Well, I Tried

Bulletins

Brian Nielsen
02/01/25 - General

“Well, I tried”. Have you ever said that after acting as if you went all out to invite someone to a worship service? Or maybe to discuss the gospel in a private Bible study?

I think to ask this only because I have been guilty of such a half-hearted attempt and, once rejected, given up on this attempt saying I tried. Then I get humbled or down-right ashamed when reading about Paul's plight in Acts 19:8- 10 "And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks."

Three months Paul spoke boldly. Sometimes I've given up before talking for three minutes. Yes, in verse 9 we see Paul did depart from those who spoke evil of the Way. But he went on to his next mission. Verse 10 says he continued in this for two years.

In another example, Paul said in Acts 20:31, "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."

Three years of tears. In these times when the world expects instant gratification and instant success, we must remember we can't microwave our work for the Lord.

In these endeavors we can find encouragement and an example from David who said in Psalm 27:13-14, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait I say, on the Lord."

Don't misunderstand this as a reason to be complacent in trying to lead souls to Christ. If you haven't obeyed the gospel, don't see this as a reason to procrastinate. As we read in James 4:14, "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."

So, while realizing we need to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 25:9, Hebrews 9:28), we need to work with the urgency Paul relays from the Lord in 2 Corinthians 6:2 "For He says: 'In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the day of salvation."

(Scripture quotations taken from NKJV)