Galatians 6:9 - When Tired and Weary.
Galatians 6:9: When Tired and Weary.
Galatians 6:9 (KJV) And let us not be weary in well doing: for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for
at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (NLT) So lets not get tired of doing what is
good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we
dont give up.
COMMENTARY PEARL
When our kids were little, I loved how excited they got about
springtime. They'd bring home these little sprouts in paper cups, and we'd
line them up on our kitchen windowsill. It was a race to see whose
tiny green shoot would grow the fastest.
As our kids got older, I made sure that they knew real
gardening was a lot more work.
Even a flowerbed or herb garden requires so much attention -
watering, fertilizing, weeding, guarding from raccoons and bobcats. The
harvest comes only after the investment of dedicated hard work begun
long before the first rose bush blooms or you smell the first
lavender.
Our faith requires the same kind of commitment and consistent
effort. This month is about growing and cultivating different facets of
our faith: patience, compassion, kindness, joy, and peace. To reap a
harvest of any of these qualities, we must be diligent on a daily basis.
As we saw last month, prayer is essential, but Bible study,
worship, community, and fellowship are vital too.
Today assess your relationship with God - what areas need
more time and attention? What can you do to produce the kind of fruit
you know that God wants to see in your life?
I want to grow in my faith, Lord. This month I want to work
on growing in those qualities that will strengthen my faith and
enhance my relationship with you. [Daily Power by Craig Groeschel]
COMMENTARY
It is discouraging to continue to do right and receive no word
of thanks or see no tangible results. But Paul challenged the
Galatians and he challenges us to keep on doing good and to trust God for
the results. In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessing. [Life
Application SB]
How can we not get discouraged when we deal with overwhelming
tasks and challenges and the brokenness, opposition, and evil in the
world around us? How can we not faint or give up but keep doing good
to everyone, even those who are difficult? Paul tells us in Hebrews
12:1-2 that we can successfully keep running our race with endurance
and not burn out in doing what's right only by fixing our eyes on
Jesus. Our faith, our ability to be a blessing and to do good to our
brothers and sisters or to accomplish anything at all of lasting value
depends on Christ from start to finish. When we lift our eyes to the
all-powerful, all-loving God, we can commit our way to him and receive his
assurance that in God's time we will reap what he has richly prepared for
us - a harvest of blessing - as we daily draw fresh strength from
his inexhaustible supply to keep on running in his footsteps.
LORD, thank you for teaching me in my weariness or in times
when I lose heart that I can do nothing apart from you. You are my
Life, my strength, my salvation. I give myself to you and ask that the
power of your Life will restore my joy and renew my vision to keep
doing your will and doing good to those around me. [Praying Through
The Bible By Fuller]
How do you handle weariness? Why not rest - even nap - for a
little while? Then get up to try again. Sometimes the best rest is in
God's presence just soaking in his goodness. Being with people who
love us can also recharge our batteries and ward off discouragement.
Discouragement is an enemy of our goals. To say, "It can't be
done" is the opposite of saying, "I can do all this through him who
gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). We guard against discouragement
by celebrating the small victories we have when we make good
choices.
We all get discouraged at times. We may even become weary in
doing good, especially if we hit a plateau where positive changes
don't seem to be happening. At those moments, the apostle Paul offers
encouragement: we truly will see blessing if we stick with it.
Regularly celebrating small victories and taking time to rest
helps combat weariness and discouragement. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day
Devotional]
Always choosing to do what is right can be challenging at
times, especially since we live in a world with a declining sense of
excellence and morality. To compromise is to go a little bit below what you
know to be right. Even though we live in the midst of many people who
do compromise and have little or no godly standard for their lives,
we can hold firm. As the Scripture above states, let us not grow
weary in doing what is right.
God rewards those who make right choices, but sometimes we
must continue making them over and over before we start getting a
right result. Be committed to a standard of righteousness in your life
and don't compromise. If you don't give up, you will reap a
wonderful reward, and in the meantime, you will have the peace of a clear
conscience.
Don't ever choose to do the wrong thing just because everyone
else is doing it. Be an example for people to follow instead of
someone that even you are ashamed to know! Live in such a way that your
behavior puts a smile on God's face and your reputation is good in
Heaven.
Father, teach me Your ways and give me the strength to make
right choices at all times. Forgive me for compromises I have made in
the past, and help me hold firm to Your standard of excellence. [My
Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
A careful owner of a vineyard watches with great attention
for signs of budding fruit. He has spent months tilling,
fertilizing, pruning, watering, and testing. And now he is expecting his
vines to bear big, luscious, prize-winning grapes. Dont think the
Almighty is any less meticulous. He wants you to bear much fruit. He
notices every time you sow seeds in the lives of others. He keeps tabs
every time you water that seed with prayer. He records it in your
balance sheet when He observes faith flowering and fruit ripening in the
life of someone in whom you have invested for Jesus sake. If they
are rewarded, you reap. If they are lifted up, you are raised with
them. Be vigilant about people in your spheres of influence. You are
sowing seeds; your prayers are having an impact; and the Lord of the
vineyard is paying close attention.
Lord, I see so clearly today that my life in You is all about
investing in others. If I lose my life for Your sake, I find it as never
before! Please show me how to invest wisely, giving my words, my time,
my specific prayers, my concern, my full attention, my practical
help, my smiles of encouragement, and the love that is rooted in You.
[Joni Eareckson Tada Daily Devotional:
http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180719-1107.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150115-2032.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
