REJOICE AND REMEMBER THE REWARD!

"Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality" (Romans 2:7).

We all grow physically weary, but do we sometimes grow spiritually weary of doing good and wonder what's the use? Do we become weary when we try again and again to teach someone, and there is no response? Do we become weary when we seek to encourage an unfaithful Christian to turn back in obedience to God, and this falls on deaf ears? Do we become weary when we do good deeds which seem to be rejected?

God understands and left us these words of encouragement.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:9-10).

"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good " (2 Thessalonians 3:13).

Jesus understands this weariness. After Jesus fed the four thousand with only seven loaves and a few small fish, the Pharisees began to dispute with Jesus. Testing Him, they requested a sign from heaven. Read what Jesus did. "But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, 'Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation' " (Mark 8:12).

Perhaps Jesus felt the same frustration we also feel at times. If we are not careful, this frustration can cause us to grow weary of doing good. However, if we desire the Christian reward of eternal life, we must patiently continue doing good. "Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality" (Romans 2:7).

Allow God's word to give us encouragement in reaching the reward given only to faithful Christians.

 

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint " (Isaiah 40:28-31).

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord " (1 Corinthians 15:58).

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:1-3).

We must keep our thoughts on Jesus and all He did for us, lest we become weary and discouraged and miss our eternal reward in heaven!

"BESIDE THE STILL WATERS"

Last week as I read Psalm 23, I realized just how far from the "still waters" I had gotten. I had allowed myself to become very stressed and discouraged because of health issues my husband has been experiencing for several weeks. As a result, my endurance and peace were shrinking, and I understood it was necessary for me to make some changes in my heart.

I allowed the phrase, "He leads me beside the still waters" to sink deep into my mind to remind me of the peace I so desired. I began to picture in my mind walking beside a still body of water and how peaceful this would be; but this is only a temporary peace based upon outward circumstances. True calmness and peace comes only from the Lord, no matter what the outward circumstances are at any given time.

"He leads me beside the still waters" continued to stir up my mind, and then I understood. I must allow myself to be led by the Lord. No, He will not literally take my hand and lead me; but I must cease trying to control things and simply trust in His strength and be lead beside the still waters of His peace.

The outward conditions may remain the same for a while longer; it may become better, or it may become worse. Whatever the outcome, if I continue allowing the Lord to "lead me beside the still waters," then I can again rejoice in the Lord because "He restores my soul."

　

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:1-6).