GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: Galatians 6:9

Patsy Clairmont, the author of God Uses Cracked Pots, shares a true story about her son, Jason. When he was seven, she sent him off to school one day. After a little while, there was a knock at the door and when Patsy opened the door, it was Jason.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I’ve quit school” he said.

“Why have you quit school, Jason?” she demanded.

Jason said, “Well, it was too long, it was too hard and it was too boring. And I didn’t like a lot of it!”

Patsy responded, “Jason, you have just described life. Get back on the bus!”

How many of us can relate to little Jason?! There are times when that just describes life to a tee! It’s long. It’s hard. And its boring! The result can be that we grow weary. Weary of doing good. Weary of standing for right. Weary of the burden of ministry.

Paul encouraged the Galatians not to give up when he wrote,“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Gal. 6:9).

WHY DO PEOPLE GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART?

We can become overwhelmed by the amount of work. Sometimes a job can just seem overwhelming. When the task is staggering, it’s hard to know where to start. When we look at the lost, the sinful condition of the world today, it seems like we are sweeping back the ocean with a broom.

We can become cooled by the coldness of other people. Jesus predicated “And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:12). Indifference, apathy and internal opposition can cause us to lose heart.

We may allow the cares of this world to choke out the desire to do good. This was Jesus’ point in the parable of the sower (Matt 13). Too often the things of the world seem more important. When our careers are challenging, family issues are pressing, and the pursuit of pleasure is enticing, it’s easy to lose our interest in spiritual matters.

Opposition, adversity and our adversary the Devil can discourage us. Old Testament Israel was dismayed by the Philistine giant Goliath. They were daunted by his taunts. He was a formidable foe. And seemed invincible. David saw this when he came to camp and said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine!

Sometimes we find ourselves discouraged, despondent, and dismayed. We’ve lost heart! Our minds become burdened. Our emotions low. Our will weakened. And our conscience ready to compromise.

HOW CAN WE KEEP FROM LOSING HEART AND GROWING WEARY?

(1) Keep your eyes on Jesus

He knows how you feel. He endured hostility from sinners and experienced the weariness of the flesh, but did not “lose heart” (Heb 12:1-2). He’s our leader. Our example. Look to Him. And His words of encouragement.

(2) Order your priorities.

It’s easy to forget what is really important. To allow improper influences to impact our priorities. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). Remember your “first love” for the Lord. Return to your original commitment. Renew your spiritual vows.

(3) Seek mutual support of your brethren.

One of the great blessings in the Body of Christ is the fellowship of the faithful. Their concern, encouragement and edification. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11).

(4) Realize harvest time is Coming.

Why does the Farmer work long hours to plant in the spring, and toil in the hot sun, and cultivate and fertilize and invest so much time, money and effort? The answer is obvious. He knows there’s a potential for a harvest!  We need to realize that is true spiritually. The text reminds us of a future day of reward. We will reap , if we don’t grow weary and quit.

Is weariness wearing away your walk with the Lord? Your spiritual appetite? Your religious fervor?

My advice?

“Get back on the bus.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman