Countdown to the Conference - Day 4

In Galatians 6:9 Paul says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do no let lose heart." Going back to the Psalm 1 post on Monday, we know there is a contrast between those who follow God and those who do not.  And, for those who follow, there was never a promise of ease.  On the contrary, Jesus says, "...‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20) Living for God in a world that is, at its very core, against God can be exhausting. Doing that which we are called to can appear to be fruitless, or even pointless.  But, as Paul said, "...in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." And so, the hope of today's post is to reiterate Paul's encouragement - that we set our eyes on God and not on our circumstances.  Or, as Paul tells the Colossians, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:2-3). We can be heavenly-minded because, praise God, heaven is the end result!  We can have hope and strength because we know what God has done, and where we're going to end up because of it!  

Psalm 103:1-5 really puts it in perspective:
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

When we grow weary we can remember the forgiveness, healing, redemption, lovingkindness, mercy, and provision God has given us. And, the Psalmist says don't forget these things because of the rejuvenation it has in us, restoring to us the vitality of youth! To not grow weary in doing good, we can remember all the good God has done. We can remember that He does not grow weary, but on the contrary He offers strength to those who wait for Him, as Isaiah says in Chapter 40:

"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