WEARY IN WELL-DOING?: Open Heaven Daily Devotional, Thursday 5 July 2018

Memorise: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9

Read: 1King 19:9-18
9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

Bible in one year: 2Chronicles 1-4, Acts 22:12-29

Message:

If good works always yield a good reward, why is the Holy Spirit encouraging us in today’s memory verse not to be weary of doing good, and what does it really mean to do good? We will be reflecting on these questions today. Good works can be described as those activities that you are specially endowed by God to do for the betterment of others in obedience to His word. 

Several factors may discourage or hinder a child of God from continuing to do the good works that he or she is empowered to do. Such factors may arise from the fact that good works sometimes attract envy, opposition or persecution from others. Despite the huge investment of time and resources, good works may be misunderstood, may go unappreciated or even be misinterpreted as eye service.  In John 3:19, the Lord Jesus Christ revealed the reason why good works may be antagonised by some. Saying:

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

Just as darkness despises the revealing power of light, so do evil people detest the testimony of good works, because it exposes their inadequacies. For this reason, they usually respond to good works with hatred and persecution. Consequently, the Bible admonishes us to endure in the face of opposition or persecution of our good works, and ensure that we continue in well doing. 

Are you weary from the opposition you have faced in spite of your good works? You can learn one or two things from Elijah. The Lord performed several great exploits and good works through Elijah, including great miracles of healing, provision and the raising of the dead. The Lord also used him to single-handedly destroy 400 prophets of Baal in a contest, ignite the fire of revival in the hearts of men and call down rain after three years of drought (1Kings 17 & 18).

However, soon after accomplishing these exploits, Elijah experienced the worst discouragement of his life when Jezebel threatened to kill him (1Kings 19:1-4). He was so discouraged that it took God’s assurance and encouragement for him to continue his life’s journey. Similar attacks and discouragement can come from anywhere; endurance is a necessary component of the Christian life. 

I therefore pray that no matter what you are passing through right now, the Almighty God will support, encourage and see you through those challenges in Jesus’ Name. You need strength and courage to endure hardness as a good solider of Christ. I pray that God will grant you these in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point
Father, please forgive me the grace to faithfully carry my cross as I follow after Your Son in Jesus’ Name.

Sing hymn 10 – MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamp of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray
Take all my guilt away
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!