I thought I had toiled in vain.

You have not labored in vain.

"Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.   He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.   He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”   (Isaiah 49:1-3 NIV)

"Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in empty futility; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense is with my God."
(Isaiah 49:4 AMP)

Seekfirst.blogspot.com