“Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9 TLB).
If things don’t happen right away or when you think they should, that doesn’t mean you should quit. You need to be diligent. You need to have endurance. You need to keep on.
The Bible says, “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9 TLB).
This Christmas, where do you feel like giving up? Maybe you feel like giving up on your marriage. It may seem like it’s just dead and going nowhere. Maybe you feel like giving up on your career. You’ve tried and tried and tried to make a difference, and it just isn’t happening. Maybe you feel like giving up on your dream or a goal. Maybe you feel like giving up on yourself.
But think about this. A thousand years before you were born, God knew you would be reading this today, and his message to you is simple: Don’t do it. Don’t give up.
Don’t ever give up. The tunnel seems incredibly dark right now, but there is always a light at the end. It may be just around the corner! You are known, you are loved, and you have a purpose. Don’t get tired of doing what is right. Don’t think what you’re doing doesn’t matter. Don’t think anyone would be better off without you. Those are lies from the mouth of the Devil himself. Remember what God has said about you. Remember that he wants to bless you.
Don’t give up. Look up. Look up to God. Find a spiritual family—a church and a small group—to help you through the tough times. Meditate on God’s Word for encouragement.
Never give up on God. He will never give up on you!
Talk It Over
What do you want to give up on today? Where do you need encouragement?
How can a spiritual family like a small group help you through dark times? How have you been able to provide that kind of encouragement to someone before?
Is there a “right thing” you’ve been doing that has just worn you out? Why do you think God wants you to keep going?
Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
The Bible says we all fall short of God’s perfect standard. Yet God still loves us—even though we sin and we’re flawed. In fact, God loves us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to cleanse us from our sins and to bring us into the family of God.
If you’ve never accepted God’s love and decided to follow Jesus, I want you to have that opportunity now. Start with this prayer:
“Dear God, I don’t understand it all, but I thank you that you love me. I thank you that you are for me and that you didn’t send Jesus to condemn me but to save me.
“I confess that I have sinned against you, and I admit I need Jesus as my Savior. I want a relationship with Jesus. I want to follow him and do the things he tells me to do.
“I ask you to save me from my past, my regrets, my mistakes, my sins, my habits, my hurts, and my hang-ups.
“I ask you to save me for your purpose. I want to know why you put me on this planet. And I want to fulfill what you created me to do. I want to learn to love you and trust you and be in your family forever. In your name I pray. Amen.”
If you just prayed that prayer, let me know by emailing me at Rick@PastorRick.com. I want to encourage you in your journey with Jesus and send you some free material to help you take your first steps.
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This devotional © 2019 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
