Weary in Well Doing

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Some hills are high and hard to climb.

Some tasks are difficult and take a long time to complete.

Some ministries we are called to require everything we have and then some. We get tired.

Some battles we fight send us to our knees repeatedly as we long for a breakthrough, any indication that tells us we are on the winning side.

Some days I want to hand in my keys and go home.

I can get weary in doing what is right and good.

That is why the verses in the sixth chapter of Galatians struck my heart.

This is the chapter where Paul reminds the church to take care of one another, to bear one another’s burdens. He tells them to go to the one overtaken in a fault and restore him. He also says that whatever a man sows, he will reap.

A lot of responsibility is wrapped up in a few verses in this chapter, but then Paul offers some encouragement for the journey.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9, KJV).

Paul reminds the Galatians (and me) that harvest time is coming. The summer may be long and hot. There may be a lot of weeds to pull, and the drought may be overpowering, but keep the faith. Harvest time is coming. We shall reap if we faint not.

He also reminds us that we need to pay attention to the many opportunities around us. Look at verse 10.

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10, KJV).

Paul wasn’t happy when he wrote to the Galatians. They had backtracked from the grace that he had taught them. The letter he wrote was stern and intended to draw them back to the liberty of the gospel. He had reason to be impatient and weary with people who didn’t follow through with the teaching God was giving, but by God’s grace he was not done.

Perhaps he was even reminding himself, because verse eleven reads

“Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.”

Paul wasn’t quitting even if the message was not always received the way he wanted it to be received.

He still had miles to travel and sermons to preach.

He still had letters to write.

There is no time for me to quit either.

I have people I’ve been praying for. I’ll keep praying.

There are children to teach. I’ll keep teaching.

There is kindness to be shown.

There are joys to be shared and burdens to be lifted.

There are words to be spoken and people to encourage.

There are words to write.

I can be patient one more day.

God’s Spirit will empower me to continue on until harvest time.

I refuse to be weary in well doing. I refuse to faint. The harvest will be worth the long days, disappointments, and sore muscles.

The reaping will be worth it all.

He promised.

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Father, on the days that I wake up tired and ready to quit, remind me that harvest time is coming. Renew my strength. Let me depend on Your Spirit within me to encourage and empower. Open my eyes to opportunities, Lord, and keep me excited about each one. Forgive me when I falter and let me quickly get back on track. In Jesus’ precious name I pray.

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Think About It

·       Is there an area of your life where you are weary in well doing, where you are ready to give up?

·       Will you commit that area to God and allow Him to encourage you?