A Biblical Man Perseveres

by Steven Booker

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” -Galatians 6:9

Have you ever had a chore or homework assignment that seemed never to end? No matter how much time or effort you put into it, there was so much more to complete. You work as hard as you can, but at some point it feels almost impossible to continue. Part of becoming a biblical man is facing this reality with an eternal perspective so that you can persevere.

We can easily be blinded by something negative or hurtful that someone says to us, a phone call that doesn’t go the way we want, or a commitment that we begin to feel is too much to see through to completion.

The truth is, we are living in a world at war. Every day, we are fighting against the effects of the fall. This lineage is linked back to our ancient ancestors, Adam and Eve. We experience heartache, engage in work that feels meaningless, pursue relationships that end up hurting us, or find that things seem more difficult than they were meant to be. It is in this reality that we are brought face to face with a choice: do I give up or keep pressing on?

In Genesis chapter 3, Adam is told that the ground will be cursed, and it will bear thorns and thistles. Adam’s curse was that his work would be exhausting and bear little fruit for his labor.

This reality can quickly leave anyone feeling hopeless. This is the beauty of Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season, we will reap, if we do not give up.”

There is a promise for “reaping” in due season to those that do not grow weary or give up in doing good. This promise is amazing if you think about it. It is in some ways in defiance to the effects of the fall. For when you struggle to keep doing good and only see weeds and thorns, REMAIN. The fruit will come if you do not give up!

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the call to keep doing good, especially in today’s society. But in the context of the book of Galatians, this challenge follows the instructions to walk by the Spirit of God. We can not do this in our own strength, but it is by God’s Spirit that we are equipped to persevere.

The next time you face that situation that exhausts you or feels too challenging to keep pressing on, remind yourself of this truth and ask God’s Spirit to strengthen you to keep doing good without growing weary.

Journaling Page on Perseverance

Can you think of a major challenge in your life through which God taught you perseverance?

What biblical character do you think best represents perseverance and why?

Other thoughts and scriptures about perseverance: