Labour can be defined as working hard or making great effort. It can also be defined as toil, slave away, sweat away, struggle, strive, etc. As children of God, the bible encourages us to work hard and make greet effort in life (Prov. 22:29; Psalm 128:2; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thes. 3:7-12). But working hard can only take one to a certain level in life, to proceed beyond that point; one will require a supernatural push.
In John 5:1-15, the bible tells us of a man who had an infirmity for 38 years. He had laboured severally and yearly to be made whole but all his efforts were futile. One day, he was shown unprecedented favour. Jesus located him amongst many silk folks, healed him alone and walked away, even on a Sabbath day! At the command of Jesus to rise and walk, he became well. All the labours and toils of 38 years were gone in a moment.
Jacob slaved away for Laban, his father in law for about 20 years. He worked very hard and made a lot of effort to serve Laban with the hope that Laban will settle him well. But no, his father in law was prepared to cheat him. God however stepped in and grant Jacob unprecedented favour in just a short space of time that he became very wealthy.
Many of us certainly work really hard, which is good. God however is restating His word to us that in 2015, which is our year of unprecedented favour, He will make us to excel beyond all our labours, hard work and exertion. In this month, our favours and blessings shall surpass the labours we exert in Jesus name.