Every disciple of Jesus Christ must come to terms with the problem of continuance. As a disciple I have known moments of ecstasy and glory, but also moments of sorry failure and defeat. How do I continue victoriously instead of enjoying victory only now and then, only here and there? In the words of J. Taylor Smith, a bishop of the Anglican Church of England, how do I “abide and abound”?
Isaiah teaches me that victory does not come by looking inside myself, but rather by looking outside. First, I must look beyond myself to see the “hungry” and “afflicted” person nearby, and then pour out myself for him (Isaiah 58:10). Hungry and afflicted souls are around me constantly, and I am to develop a way of life toward them, a way in which I share the spiritual blessings I already have. In sharing them, God will multiply and magnify my resources beyond anything I can dream. As a result of giving my portion to others, God will make my light rise at noonday, guide me continually, satisfy my soul in drought, make me like a watered garden, and make me a repairer of broken people (Isaiah 58:10–12). If Isaiah has not described continual victory here, I do not know what continual victory is!
In short, God through Isaiah is teaching me that before I can enjoy the fruits of victory in my own life, I must pay attention to the rights of victory on behalf of others. In other words, my victory is not an in-the-closet type of thing that I can enjoy alone, but something that I enjoy only in relationship to others. If I meet their spiritual needs, I will enjoy spiritual victory on a steady, continuing basis. Lord, help me to stop currying and combing my own soul, and help me to feed others the bread of Christ that they so desperately need! Then we will enjoy victory together.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Daily with the King 