Bible Illustrating and Journaling - Galatians 6:9

Annie’s Ink-Lings

  This Week's Scripture Focus:  Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, 

for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Doing good involves yielding to the Spirit and exhibiting the fruit He produces—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When these things are dominant in our lives, doing good is the inevitable result.

We need this encouragement to not grow weary in doing good because of our own natural weakness and the opposition of evil spirits and evil men.  The best intentions for doing good can be easily derailed. We often feel there is so much work to be done that we cannot possibly do it all. There are so many needs, so many calls on our time, energy, and finances, that we can easily become exhausted and disheartened.  Doing what’s right is not easy in a fallen world, especially when it seems no one notices and there is little recompense for all our troubles.

Growing weary in doing good is an ever-present danger in the Christian life.  Overcommitting ourselves is a primary cause of weariness among Christians. We want so much to contribute and to respond to God’s love by pouring ourselves into ministry for His sake that we risk burnout. Discernment is essential. We need to choose wisely and always allow time for rest.  God will provide for each need He wants to fulfill. He will provide the means to accomplish His ends.

Paul reminds us to look past our labors to the prize at the end:  those who persevere in doing good are promised to reap rewards. When we become disheartened, the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit brings relief and gratitude to our hearts and glory to God.  Just like the sower of seed must wait for the harvest, the Christian must wait patiently for the rewards that will inevitably come to us from God. We will not give up, because our Lord is faithful. “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

(Based on Galatians, McArthur New Testament Commentary.)

Blessings,
Annie