Devotions: Diligence for Harvest

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Galatians 6:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

We usually have this idea that doing good, doing what is right, should be easy. Unfortunately, it usually ends up being the opposite. And often, the times when it is most important are the times when it is the hardest. But we must remember why we are doing good. The best reasons to do good are for the love of God and the love of others. If it is out of love for ourselves in any way it will be fruitless. But if our actions are genuine and selfless they will bear fruit…if we do not lose heart. It is so easy to give up, to think that it is pointless, to lose hope. We forget that every seed planted requires time to germinate and grow before it produces a crop, and it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years. The spiritual life is no different. We may never see the result of the good work we do, but if we do it as if it were in service to God, we can be sure that it will produce good fruit in time. Others may have the blessing of reaping the harvest, but they cannot reap if we do not sow, or water or cultivate or whatever our part is. We need to be diligent, even when we see no hope of a harvest, we need to press on. Even if we don’t see the harvest for the "project", we will see a harvest in ourselves, in the godly character it produces in us. God’s will is never fruitless, never empty. Press on. Don’t lose heart and don’t give up. Hold on to the promise that you will reap if you persevere.