PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• In Galatians 6:9, we are given a challenge and an encouragement all rolled into one.
It says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
The part about a “harvest of blessing” jumped out at me this morning.
That’s the part that is emphasized in the graphic, and that’s what I thought I’d be writing about.
However, I did some volunteer work yesterday and used this verse in a graphic I made for them.
As I finalized this morning’s image, I realized that the emphasis I put on yesterday’s graphic was different.
On that one, the emphasis was on “at just the right time.”
I think it’s so cool when God shows us different viewpoints like this.
And there’s a whole lot of great content in this little verse, so let’s unpack the whole thing together.
First part: “SO LET’S NOT GET TIRED OF DOING WHAT IS GOOD.”
I don’t know about you, but I totally relate to this.
I appreciate the encouragement to keep going because the Christian journey is a lonely one at times.
Even among Christians.
To the world, we are different.
Even the good we do in the world can be looked at disdainfully because of the faith we profess.
Jesus said in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”
We just have to remember when discouragement knocks on the door, looking for that entry point in our lives, we don’t do good for people or personal recognition.
We do it for Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:20 calls us “Christ’s ambassadors” and in Philippians 1:6, we’re reminded, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
The fact is that the good we do may not be fully understood or appreciated until we’re in heaven with Jesus.
We may not know the impact of our work in this lifetime, and that’s okay.
We don’t do what we do for personal accolades but we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us for God’s glory.
Second, “AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME.”
I love this part of the verse because it goes back to my word of the year, “timing.”
Y’all, I’ve been amazed at how one word can teach me so much.
God’s timing is not like ours and as I’ve been learning this year, He will not be rushed.
But He won’t be late either.
He loves us too much to do anything for us that is less than perfect.
Even His timing.
When the prophet Habakkuk asked God about His plan, God answered.
And in Habakkuk 2:3, He said, “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”
I love this verse.
No one likes waiting, but I promise — our God with perfect timing will make it worth the wait!
Third, “WE WILL REAP A HARVEST OF BLESSING.”
Blessings take different shapes and sizes.
Some may see blessings as financial security and success, while others see blessings as a good medical report or something else.
Everything we do in life has a consequence—sometimes positive consequences and sometimes negative.
And sometimes, just as we discussed in the first section of this verse, we may not see the fruits of our work in this lifetime.
When we hear about a harvest of blessing, let’s remember Matthew 5:12b, when Jesus said, “…a great reward awaits you in heaven.”
Finally, “IF WE DON’T GIVE UP.”
Let’s head over to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 for this part.
It says, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Always be.
Never stop.
Be thankful.
All present tense phrases of action.
To give up removes the action or activity and we’re clearly told to keep going!
And in Philippians 3:14, Paul wrote, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
So let’s press on too.
Keep going.
Don’t be discouraged because we are called by Jesus and with Him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Since all things are possible with Him, why quit?
If He’s called us to a project or assignment, He’s promised to be with us.
He’s not going to abandon us halfway through.
Today, as you pray, praise God for the challenge of this verse.
This short little verse that has a ton of wisdom and encouragement in it.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you persevere, and remember what lies ahead.
Just because our vision is limited doesn’t mean that there’s not something spectacular waiting for us on the other side of the horizon.
