“Do not grow weary in doing good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13
How does knowing God and that His ways are perfect make such a difference? Here are five biblical answers that are worth inscribing in our hearts:
- Sometimes God leads us through affliction in order to refocus our gaze on Him (Ps. 119:67, 71).
- At other times the Lord is pruning us so that we may bear more fruit than ever (John 15:2b).
- Or, He may order trials in our lives to touch others through us (2 Cor. 4:10–12).
- And, in the mystery of His providence, He sometimes simply wants to show His grace and glory in us in our trials (as in the case of Job).
- Then, in every situation, He is working, as the great Presbyterian pastor Samuel Rutherford used to say, “to polish our graces” and to make us more like the Lord Jesus (Rom. 8:29).
We do not always see immediately what the Lord’s purpose is. But we know: “This God—His way is perfect” (Ps. 18:30). I suspect you already know these things. We have much to be grateful for! But probably the majority of Christians (not to mention non-Christians) do not yet grasp these truths, or have never been taught them. This is not the time to become weary in doing good.
- Sinclair Ferguson