By Pastor Brian Wipf
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.
I get tired of doing good sometimes. There’s a lot of reasons for this, I suppose. Sometimes, it might be physical or mental exhaustion. Other times, I want to just give into my fleshly desires out of self-pity. And when I do, I’m not doing the good that God has prepared in advance for me to do.
What are some of those areas? Certainly, our families are an area, a space, that God has called us to do good works. But after awhile, the daily and weekly grind wear on us a little and we started getting weary. Our church family is clearly another area we are called to do good works. I’ve thought about our Reaching Beyond project. So many of you have given so much. Maybe hearing about the RB+1 initiative, committing to another year of giving makes you feel tired. You’ve given a lot; maybe you’re tired of giving. I understand.
So, how do we keep going? Paul says, “let us not grow weary of doing good.” He says it like there’s something we can do about it. Is there something he knows that we don’t that will help us keep going?
Certainly, Sabbath rest plays an important role in us being refreshed and fruitful; rest is what we do to combat weariness. We’re going to talk about this in the coming weeks in our The Lord, Our Maker sermon series. But that’s not where Paul goes in Galatians 6:9.
The first thing he says is, “for in due season we will reap.” Paul is trying to motivate us. He’s looking at beleaguered saints with bloodshot eyes trying to help them keep going. And what he does is give some hope. The hope comes in the form of future reward. “You’re going to reap a reward!” Paul says.
Mark it down, FBC: you will reap a reward when you do God’s good works in faith. God has promised it. It’s what authentic faith looks like. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Faith in God is belief that he rewards his children who obey him. Believe it, my good friends.
But notice the timing: in due season. I remember in elementary school planting seeds in a little paper cup to watch it grow into a flower. At first, it’s quite unremarkable, right? Day 1: nothing. Day 2: nothing. Day 3: nothing. It’s enough to discourage a 2nd grade boy who wants everything to happen yesterday.
God is saying something in this. We’re not in control of the growth. We’re not in control of the timing. We’re not in control of what the reward will be. All of this waiting and not being in control can discourage faith. We have to remember: it happens in due season. God knows when the time is right. God knows what the reward should be. We just keep sowing and waiting; doing the good works he’s given believing that fruit will come. He’ll keep his promise.
Don’t give up, FBC. That’s Paul’s last word of instruction. We’re going to be tempted to; and if we do, we won’t reap the reward. Keep doing good at home. Keep doing good in your church family. Keep doing good at your work, your school, and in your community. When you get tired, remind yourself of the reward that’s coming.