NEVER GIVE UP DOING GOOD
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)
Towards the end of the book of Galatians, Paul instructed the Christians in Galatia to do some specific things: love your neighbor as yourself, keep in step with the Spirit, and stay connected to the Spirit by seeing that fruit is produced in their lives. Paul groups all those instructions together in this passage as doing good. Why does Paul feel compelled to remind the believers to do good?
I think this is mainly because we get lazy doing good. So many distractions overwhelm us daily. But Paul is emphatically saying, Don’t Quit! Don’t get tired of doing good!
This is such an encouraging and challenging message to those maturing in their relationship with Jesus. Sometimes, everything in us wants to throw in the towel and call it quits. But Paul is saying we might be close to a harvest if we keep going and don’t give up. This should set us apart in how we approach life. We do good and don’t get tired of it because we never know what God might have up His sleeve to bless us with.
So today, if you’ve been pouring yourself out for the sake of God and others day after day, year after year, know that God sees you and is cheering you on, waiting to show you His plan.
APPLICATION: Take a moment today to reflect on an area where you’ve grown weary in doing good. Perhaps it’s serving a family member, volunteering or offering kindness to someone difficult. Choose one act of goodness as a renewed commitment to not give up. Then ask God for new strength to persevere with joy.
PRAYER: Jesus, I am so thankful that You do not get weary of me! I confess that I do sometimes get tired of doing good. Please supply me with renewed strength as I commit to what You’ve called me to do. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?