Perseverance in Doing Good: Trusting God's Timing
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the theme of perseverance in doing good, even when it feels burdensome. Drawing from Malachi 3:13-18, we explored how the Israelites, despite their efforts to follow God, grew weary when their expectations were not met. This weariness often stems from doing good with the wrong motives—seeking to gain something from God rather than serving Him out of love and gratitude for what He has already done. We also examined Galatians 6:9, where Paul encourages us not to grow weary in doing good, for in due time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
I shared a personal story about my brief stint as a collegiate cheerleader, which served as a metaphor for how we often give up on God's blessings because we focus too much on the burdens of the present moment. The Israelites, having rebuilt the temple, expected immediate transformation and blessings, but when that didn't happen, they grew disillusioned. Similarly, we often grow weary when our experiences don't meet our expectations, especially when we focus on the seen rather than the unseen.
We discussed the importance of shifting our focus from earthly gains to eternal rewards. When we do good to gain approval or material blessings, we set ourselves up for disappointment. Instead, we should do good because God has already given us everything through Jesus Christ. Our focus should be on sowing seeds of faith, trusting that God is working in the unseen, and believing that He has a plan for our future.
To combat weariness, we must remember God's past faithfulness, celebrate His present blessings, and develop a biblical expectation for the future. By doing so, we align our hearts with God's purposes and find satisfaction in His glory rather than our own gains.
### Key Takeaways
1. Do Good Without Expecting to Gain: When we do good to gain something from God, we set ourselves up for disappointment. True service to God comes from a place of gratitude for what He has already done, not from a desire to receive more. This mindset shift helps us persevere in doing good without growing weary. [12:42]
2. Focus on the Unseen: Our faith should be rooted in the unseen, trusting that God is working behind the scenes even when we can't see immediate results. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Keeping our focus on God's eternal promises helps us endure temporary hardships. [18:38]
3. Align Expectations with God's Will: Often, our weariness comes from unmet expectations. It's crucial to align our expectations with God's will rather than imposing our timelines and desires on Him. God may not meet our expectations in the way we envision, but He always exceeds them in His perfect timing and manner. [25:53]
4. Remember God's Past Faithfulness: Reflecting on God's past actions in our lives can rejuvenate our faith and give us the strength to continue doing good. Remembering how God has delivered us before assures us that He will do it again, reinforcing our trust in His unchanging nature. [31:41]
5. Celebrate Present Blessings: Gratitude for the present blessings, no matter how small, shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. This attitude of thankfulness helps us see God's hand in our daily lives and keeps us motivated to continue serving Him joyfully. [34:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Opening Prayer
[02:48] - Scripture Reading: Malachi 3:13-18
[04:08] - Personal Story: Collegiate Cheerleader
[06:34] - Growing Weary in Doing Good
[08:07] - Israelites' Weariness
[09:51] - Doing Good Badly
[11:12] - Struggles of Modern Christians
[12:42] - Doing Good to Gain
[14:09] - Spiritual Prostitution
[18:38] - Focus on the Unseen
[20:12] - Laboring for the Seed, Not the Fruit
[23:00] - God's Plan for Our Future
[24:23] - Peter Walking on Water
[25:53] - Experience vs. Expectation
[28:47] - Biblical Expectations of God
[31:41] - Remembering God's Past Faithfulness
[34:17] - Celebrating Present Blessings
[35:41] - Developing Biblical Expectations
[37:55] - Glorifying God
[39:12] - Altar Call and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Malachi 3:13-18
- Galatians 6:9
- Hebrews 11:1
### Observation Questions
1. What were the Israelites' complaints against God as mentioned in Malachi 3:13-15? [02:48]
2. According to Galatians 6:9, what is the promise given to those who do not grow weary in doing good? [08:07]
3. How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith, and why is this important in the context of doing good without immediate results? [18:38]
4. What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the concept of giving up on blessings due to present burdens? [04:08]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Israelites felt it was futile to serve God, and how does this reflect our own struggles with unmet expectations? [02:48]
2. How can focusing on the unseen, as described in Hebrews 11:1, help us persevere in doing good? [18:38]
3. What does it mean to do good without expecting to gain something from God, and how can this mindset shift impact our spiritual lives? [12:42]
4. How can remembering God's past faithfulness rejuvenate our faith and help us combat weariness in doing good? [31:41]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you did good with the expectation of receiving something in return. How did it affect your motivation and feelings when the expected outcome did not materialize? [12:42]
2. Identify an area in your life where you are focusing too much on the seen rather than the unseen. What steps can you take to shift your focus to God's eternal promises? [18:38]
3. Think about a recent experience where your expectations of God were not met. How can you realign your expectations with God's will and trust in His perfect timing? [25:53]
4. What are some specific ways you can remember and celebrate God's past faithfulness in your life? How can this practice help you persevere in doing good? [31:41]
5. List three present blessings in your life, no matter how small. How can cultivating an attitude of gratitude for these blessings help you stay motivated in your service to God? [34:17]
6. How can you develop a biblical expectation for your future that aligns with God's promises rather than your own desires? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this mindset? [35:41]
7. Consider a current burden you are facing. How can you trust that God is working in the unseen and has a plan for your future? What specific actions can you take to maintain this trust? [23:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Serve Out of Gratitude, Not Gain
Description: True service to God stems from a heart of gratitude for what He has already done, rather than a desire to receive more from Him. When we do good with the expectation of gaining something, we set ourselves up for disappointment. This mindset shift is crucial for persevering in doing good without growing weary. Reflect on the Israelites who grew weary when their expectations were not met, and consider how our motives can impact our endurance in doing good. [12:42]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: Think of a recent good deed you did. Were your motives purely out of gratitude, or were you hoping for something in return? How can you shift your mindset to serve God out of gratitude today?
Day 2: Trust in the Unseen Work of God
Description: Our faith should be rooted in the unseen, trusting that God is working behind the scenes even when we can't see immediate results. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. By focusing on God's eternal promises, we can endure temporary hardships and remain steadfast in our faith. This perspective helps us to trust in God's plan and timing, even when our current circumstances seem challenging. [18:38]
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to see God's hand at work? How can you remind yourself to trust in His unseen work today?
Day 3: Align Your Expectations with God's Will
Description: Often, our weariness comes from unmet expectations. It's crucial to align our expectations with God's will rather than imposing our timelines and desires on Him. God may not meet our expectations in the way we envision, but He always exceeds them in His perfect timing and manner. By aligning our expectations with God's will, we can find peace and contentment in His plans for us, even when they differ from our own. [25:53]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your expectations were not met. How did you respond? How can you better align your expectations with God's will moving forward?
Day 4: Remember God's Past Faithfulness
Description: Reflecting on God's past actions in our lives can rejuvenate our faith and give us the strength to continue doing good. Remembering how God has delivered us before assures us that He will do it again, reinforcing our trust in His unchanging nature. By recalling His past faithfulness, we can find encouragement and motivation to persevere in our current circumstances, knowing that God is always faithful. [31:41]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Take a moment to write down three specific instances where you have seen God's faithfulness in your life. How can these memories encourage you to trust Him in your current situation?
Day 5: Celebrate Present Blessings
Description: Gratitude for the present blessings, no matter how small, shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. This attitude of thankfulness helps us see God's hand in our daily lives and keeps us motivated to continue serving Him joyfully. By celebrating the blessings we have today, we can cultivate a heart of gratitude and find joy in our journey, even amidst challenges. [34:17]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: What are three blessings you can thank God for today? How can you make gratitude a daily practice to keep your focus on God's goodness?
Quotes
1. "I'm convinced today that many of us as Christians, God promises a blessing. God promises a blessing. God promises a blessing. God promises this blessing of being with us, of taking care of us, of all these things. But yet sometimes we give up in the moment of burden before we ever reach the blessing." [06:34] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you do good for God to gain from God, you will find yourself growing weary. See, here's what the Israelites were doing. And if you read the verse in verse 14, he actually says, they say, hey, what do we have to gain by doing this? What do we have to gain by following the Lord? What do we have to gain? And see, already their perspective is off because they went to God to get from God." [12:42] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you focus on what is seen rather than what is unseen, you will grow weary. When you're looking at the world and all you're focused on is what is seen in front of you, not what is unseen, you will grow weary. Why? Because the Bible says, Hebrews 11, 1, it says that for now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." [18:38] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you expect to see the fruit of your labor, you're not laboring in vain. Because see, we don't labor to see the fruits. We labor to sow the seed of the fruit. There's a difference in perspective. See, if we labor to see the fruit, then it's God, I'm doing this. Where is it? God, I'm doing this. When are you going to provide? God, I'm doing this. When are you going to show up?" [21:34] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Just because you took your eyes off God doesn't mean he's taking his eyes off you. So often we find ourselves in this world and we're looking at what's right in front of us and we say, God, there's a mountain in my marriage and I can't see how this is going to move, so I'm just going to quit. God, there's this addiction that I have and I just don't see how you're ever going to get it out." [23:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When you focus on what you see now, all of a sudden your experience will not meet your expectation. And can I tell you, you're going to grow weary of doing good when your experience of God doesn't meet your expectations of God. And here's the kicker about the Bible. Here's the crazy thing about the faith of Christianity. Hear me. Don't mistake this. And you're not going to like this." [25:53] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If you're breathing today, that's a miracle. If you got out of the bed this morning, that's a miracle. If you got in a car and drove here, guess what? That's a blessing from God. If you were able to wake up and eat breakfast this morning, guess what? That's a blessing from God. There are people all over the world right now that are starving, that are hungry, that don't have food, that don't have transportation." [34:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When we live our life this way, when God is glorified, God, I am satisfied. That's where we got to get, church. We got to take ourself out of the center of our universe. Say, it's not about me, it's about God. That's what Israel missed in Malachi. They missed it. They started thinking it was about them. God, it's about me. God, it's about me. And he says, no, you missed it. It's always been about me." [37:55] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "It's time that we start to celebrate the blessings that we have. Remember what God did in our past and be expectant for God in our future." [39:12] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "God, I pray for those that are growing weary in this place that sometimes get tired, tired of doing good. Sometimes that are struggling in this process of life. Father, I ask right now in the name of Jesus, in the mighty name of Jesus, Father, that you would move in such a magnificent way in our hearts and our lives today. Father, let us not grow weary of doing good because like your word says, in time there will be a harvest." [40:25] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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