In the English Standard Version of the New Testament, we read, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). The New King James Version is similar with the difference being that it says, “we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
After exhorting the believers in Galatia and warning them of the things they should avoid (Galatians 5:1–6:8), Paul may have known they would feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities of the Christian life. So, he encourages them with the words of verse 9: Do not give up!
During times like these when practicing “social distancing” due to the pandemic, you may become so weary that you think, “I wish I could just give up.” Satan entices us to give up. He wants to foil the good works of Christians and he will use every trick to foil them. One of his favorites is to make us weary and feel that we wouldn’t want to continue the fight. He will take advantage of this pandemic! It is a battle and the devil will use devices to bring us down. (Ephesians 6:11 reminds us to “put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”) However, there are times when we grow weary and want to rest. In Hebrews 4:1, we have a promise of rest: “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.”
Note that in both of these passages there are warnings from Paul and the Hebrews writer (who could be Paul), that we will not reap nor will we have rest if we give up or come short. We would be in such a position that we would not be able to reap from our good works, nor would we be able to partake in eternal rest. We can fall from grace. Therefore, giving up is not really an option. If so, where would we go? “But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
From your shepherds, Tony Willams