Don’t Give Up

Reading: Galatians 6; Psalm 113 9 So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. 10 Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to our Christian brothers and sisters. (Galatians 6:9-10 NLT) Paul had worked so hard, sacrificed so much, and suffered in so many ways to keep the message of God’s Good News pure and simple! There were so many people who resisted and opposed him—for such a variety of reasons—that it must have been really hard not to just get discouraged and give up! From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. (Galatians 6:17 NLT) Today, it really hit me that Paul didn’t have a position of authority or power in the “Church” to identify him as an important person, he didn’t have wealth or privilege to mark him as a successful leader and influencer, and he didn’t have much fame, except that he was famously hated by the religious Jews! In fact, Paul said that the primary thing that marked his life as a faithful servant of Jesus was his scars from the wounds he had suffered for Christ! As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago, and the world’s interest in me is also long dead. (Galatians 6:14 NLT) Not only was Paul no longer interested in the world and its pleasures—the world was no longer interested in him! Do you ever feel as if the world is no longer interested in you? I don’t know who encouraged Paul when he was at his lowest point, but I know he has encouraged me a lot of times through the years. God has used Paul’s honesty again and again to encourage me, to give me hope, and to remind me that there will be a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. I believe God. I believe God’s Word. Friends, Don’t give up! We will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time!

Prayer: Father, I believe your Word. I receive your encouraging reminder. I won’t give up, I won’t give in, and I won’t give out. I will use the opportunities you give me to do good to others. May these words bring hope and encouragement to others today. Amen.