Hebrews 6:10-12, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Do you sometimes feel you give and give and give to others, yet feel it has gone unnoticed? The motives for acts of compassion done for others in our sphere of influence, is the same as doing it for Jesus himself. God never overlooks our work of faith, love, and endurance of hope shown to others (1 Thess. 1:3). Every action, deliberately undertaken for Christ’s sake, requires purposeful love due to God’s grace and mercy that has set one free. God knows and sees your efforts and they will not go to waste. This will be a testimony to both believers and unbelievers. Therefore, I ask myself how I can be generous to those I serve in my work and ministry this week. Matthew 25:40 states, “And the King will answer him, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to the one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
Developing and showing the fruits of the Spirit is how our labor of love is seen. As Galatians 5:22 states. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Displaying these Christ-like attitudes will reflect the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (me) (Ephe. 1:18-20). When someone shows you gentleness and patience, rather than harshness, don’t you take notice, and your level of respect then increases for that person.
“Instead of giving in to discouragement, imitate those who found the key to gaining God’s promises – faith and patience, as demonstrated by Abraham. If Abraham had some of our weakness then we can have some of his faith and patience.” David Guzik Commentary. Abraham showed faith despite disappointments, trials, and delays. Yet Abraham trusted God despite many of the promises from God to him were seemingly impossible. God blessed Abraham because of his faith.
We have been given David’s example in handling discouragement. 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV states, “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” Praying the Psalms combats discouragement and encourages me to keep on keeping on because God is my great Shepherd (Ps. 23:1), leading and protecting me. David declared in Ps. 40:2, “He is making my steps secure.” What wondrous deeds that God has done in my life can I, as Ps. 40:5 says, “proclaim and tell of them” to others I encounter today, as David did? Sometimes just getting through the day is a wondrous deed!
Praying the Psalms is an excellent way to fight not only discouragement but frustrations as well. “You will never go through anything in life in which you cannot find the root emotions reflected in the Psalms.” Praying The Bible by Donald S. Whitney (page 54). Are you experiencing frustration, guilt, joy, gratitude, exhilaration, dealing with enemies, unjust treatment, discontentment, contentment – it is all there in the book of Psalms.
God has not overlooked your accomplishments or the burden you keep praying and lifting to God. He never misses anything. The Voice version states Hebrews 6:10-12 this way, “Because God is not unjust or unfair. He won’t overlook the work you have done or the love you have carried to each other in His name while doing His work, as you are still doing. We want you all to continue working until the end so that you’ll realize the certainty that comes with hope and not grow lazy. We want you to walk in the footsteps of the faithful who came before you, from who you can learn to be steadfast in pursuing the promises of God.” Your Heavenly Father never overlooks you. He knows your name (Isaiah 43:1), and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (me). Ephesians 1:18-20. Hebrews 6:10 is a promise and you can trust God to keep His promise to you. Be diligent with pure motives through faith and hope, because God who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). It makes me want to sing the old hymn, “Great Is Your Faithfulness!” There is strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.
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