The old saying reminds us that “No good deed goes unpunished.” Most of us prefer to hang onto the more positive view that virtue is always recognized and rewarded. But, life soon shows us that there is some ambiguity involved; that forces are at work that attempt to foil the best attempts at goodness. In Galatians 6:9-10 we are told that we must hang onto hope, even through disappointment. Paul says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
He knew what he was talking about! I can imagine that as he penned that encouragement, he might have been thinking about his ministry in the town of Philippi. There Silas and Paul encountered a young woman possessed by a evil spirit. She was miserable! So, they ministered the love of Christ to her and she was liberated from her torment. Did the people applaud this kind act? Did they celebrate that this woman was now in her right mind and able to function normally. Not quite! Read on: “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:22-24)
Beaten, locked up, and forgotten! Their experience makes the small troubles of my life nothing in comparison! But, let’s be honest with each other. When we work hard, we like to be appreciated, don't we? Come on, don’t give me that Sunday School line- "Oh, no. I just love to serve, forgotten, ignored, and un-thanked!" That sounds very spiritual, but it ignores the fact that we need affirmation and appreciation. That's not a bad thing, by the way! Thankfulness, to God and others, is encouraged throughout the Word.
However… sometimes people don't say thanks. Sometimes they turn on us for doing the right thing. When we try to talk to a friend about the error of his ways, he often turns on us viciously! Even if we “speak the truth in love,” few thank us. We may lay down our life and still be misunderstood, falsely accused, or rejected. Disciple, what then? Will you say, "Well, that's the last time I'll ever stick my neck out like that!" "Don't expect me to do that again!" Or worse, will your actions say, “Fine, then rot in Hell and see if I care!”?
A natural reaction for Paul and Silas in Philippi would have been bitterness, cryin’ in the dark! “God, this is how you let your servants be treated?” They made another choice. The storyline continues: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25) From their faith came a great result. An earthquake shook the jail freeing the men from their chains. The jailer rushed in fearing his prisoners had escaped and found a revival service in progress. He took the evangelists home and got saved and baptized. A new church was born! We never learn if the town apologized, or if they were thanked for their ministry. But, that was unimportant to these faithful servants.
When we read these stories in a few minutes time from our perch overlooking history we can miss the suffering, the tears, the self-denial. It seems almost like a modern fairy tale with the “happily ever after” ending. The truth is that the men who lived through those days bled, suffered, wondered and waited as the minutes ticked by at an agonizing pace. They were not sure if they would live or die. Yet, they chose to look up and offer praise, in faith. In their willingness to ‘let God, be God,’ to relinquish control of themselves and their circumstances to Him, He was able to accomplish His will in them and through them.
Disciple, are you weary today? Have you been swimming against the current for so long that you feel like quitting?
Are you trying to do good and getting kicked in the teeth by the world around you?
Are you attempting to love, only to be met at every turn with scorn?
Are you working in a place where evil seems to be rewarded, where those who take shortcuts, who do unethical things get the prize?
Do you feel like giving up?
Let’s emulate those who have gone before. Let your tears turn into a prayer, your broken heart become the place where God plants the seed that grows into something brand new. Sing a song in your night and wait patiently. Let your joy in the Lord sustain you and keep you from becoming weary of doing good. True courage is born of hope, hope that gives us a vision of what can be IF we stay the course through rough times. Don't give up. Harvest is inevitable.
Here’s the word from the Word.
"Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!— harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit." (Galatians 6:7-9, The Message)
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