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Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
New International Version (NIV)
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Do you ever wonder if it matters whether we care? A man walking along the beach came upon a boy who was throwing beached starfish back into the water. Starfish were strewn all over the beach so it looked to the man as though it were a lost cause. He asked the boy, “What are you doing?” “Throwing starfish back into the water so they can live,” answered the boy. “What does it matter?” the man observed, “there are thousands of them.” The boy looked at the man and said, “It matters to this one.” Picking it up he threw it into the surf.
At the end of his letter to the Galatians, after Paul told them to restore those who sin and bear each other’s burdens, Paul offered this powerful word of exhortation. “Do not get tired of doing good.” If we see no immediate results we may wonder if it really matters if we keep doing the right things. Paul says, “It matters to the family of believers.” Keep on doing good. Don’t grow weary in it. Why? In due season, on God’s Standard Time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
As you have opportunity today, do good to someone, especially to another believer. Rodney Stark says from a sociological perspective, the early Christians eclipsed the other pagan religions for this reason: in times of plague and famine, the Christians took care of each other. In fact they even took care of the Pagans. During an epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793, Pastor Richard Allen led his church to care for all the people of the city, crossing racial lines with the good news of God’s love. It strengthened their witness. What if our great medical challenge is our great spiritual opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s compassion for all? “What does it matter?” we may ask. It matters to the ones we help.
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Pray with me:
Father, how easily we grow weary in the good work to which you have called us. When we are tempted to despair, fill us with your undying hope. Help us to continue planting seeds in anticipation of a great harvest. Give us opportunities this week. Set divine appointments for us to show your love to others. Help us to keep every one of those appointments we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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