Galatians 6:9

Around AD 49, Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia. The members of these churches were confused, exhausted, and ready to quit. The problem started when false teachers arrived. They said, "Faith in Christ is good, but it is not enough. You need to be circumcised. You need to keep the Jewish law. You need to add works to your faith."

On one side, the false teachers pressured them to earn salvation through works. On the other side, the pagan world around them mocked them for their faith and made life difficult.

Paul had spent chapters 1-5 defending the gospel: you are saved by faith alone, not by works. Then in chapter 6, Paul shifts to practical instructions on how to live: restore those who fall, carry each other's burdens, and share with your teachers. Then in verses 7-8, Paul lays down a fundamental principle: "Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."

Here is the problem the Galatians faced: they were sowing to the Spirit. They were helping each other, caring for the poor, and spreading the gospel. Yet they saw no harvest. Hardships and persecutions awaited them.

In verse 9, Paul wrote, "Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we do not give up." Paul reminded the believers that the harvest is coming and calls them to keep doing good. The promise of the harvest comes with the condition of not giving up. Today, God is also encouraging you to not give up and keep going. And He guarantees that you will reap a harvest in due time.

"Let us not be weary in doing good" (τὸ δὲ καλὸν ποιοῦντες μὴ ἐγκακῶμεν / to de kalon poiountes mē egkakōmen)

"Doing good" uses the Greek word kalon, meaning not just morally good but beautiful, excellent, and noble. This is work that pleases God and bears the fruit of the Spirit. "Be weary" is the Greek word egkakeō, meaning to lose heart, to become discouraged, to grow tired and give up.

"We will reap in due season" (καιρῷ γὰρ ἰδίῳ θερίσομεν / kairō gar idiō therisomen)

"Due season" is the Greek word kairos, meaning the appointed time, the right moment, and God's perfect timing. This is not chronological time measured by hours and days but the season God has determined. "We will reap" uses the Greek word therizō, meaning to harvest and to gather the crops. This is definite future tense speaking of what is guaranteed.

"If we do not give up" (μὴ ἐκλυόμενοι / mē eklyomenoi)

"Give up" is the Greek word eklyō, meaning to lose strength, to collapse from exhaustion, and to faint. This is the physical and spiritual exhaustion that can hinder you from continuing. The harvest is coming, but only if you do not give up.

I declare that the words of Galatians 6:9 are true in my life.

• • God sees the good works I do.
• • I will not lose heart or give up.
• • I will keep going.
• • I will reap in God's perfect timing.

God,

I have been doing good works for so long with little to no results.

But today I choose to believe Your promise. You see me and remember all the good works I have done. You see all the moments. You see me as I try to apply Your word at my workplace. You see the sacrifices I have made for my family. You hear every prayer I have lifted up to you. You see all the acts of services and giving I have done for those in need. You see it all.

Help me to keep going. May I trust in Your timing. When I am tempted to give up, remind me that I am planting seeds. When I see others succeeding quickly and question my choices, remind me that Your timing is perfect. When the voice inside my head whispers, "What is the point?", remind me how I first began this work, how I started this work with excitement and courage. Remind me again of my "why" for this work and rekindle the passion I had at first.

I trust You to bring the harvest in Your perfect time.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.