Weariness and Doing Good

We do not need to exert ourselves to grow weary, for we can become weary simply due to existing!  We can become weary of eating the same foods, habitual activities, due to an illness or repeated failures.  Feelings of weariness can lead to frustration, annoyance, anger or giving up.  Jesus did not begrudge the weary, for He bid those who were weary and heavy laden to come to Him and find rest for their souls in Matthew 11:28.

While physical weariness is a fact of life, our perspective and priorities can provide fortitude to resist aspects of mental weariness.  Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 12:12, "And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh."  Reading and study can be wearisome to our eyes, bodies and minds, yet we need not be resigned to weariness in doing good when our God provides rest and strength.  In 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Paul urged Christians not to be weary in doing good, and he also exhorted  in Galatians 6:9-10:  "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."  We might be physically weary from doing good, but we should never grow weary of doing good.  There is a difference.

God called out His people through the prophet Malachi for complaining about how wearisome it was--a hardship and chore--to bring their sacrifices to the LORD at the temple.  The awesome, almighty God graced them with His presence, yet they were weary in doing good.  Their attitude showed their low view of God, for they brought injured and defective sacrifices to God they would not imagine bringing as a gift for the governor!  Though God's name was great among the heathen, Malachi 1:12-13:  "But you profane it, in that you say, 'The table of the LORD is defiled; and its fruit, its food, is contemptible.' ¹³ You also say, 'Oh, what a weariness!' and you sneer at it," says the LORD of hosts. "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?" says the LORD."  In bringing stolen or sick animals for an offering, people showed their contempt for what God had provided and did not credit Him for giving them all they possessed.  Those who viewed worship, sacrifice and service to God as an unpleasant chore profaned His holy name--to their own shame.

It is ironic how we can become weary of favourite foods or activities we very much enjoy.  We can have so much of a good thing we become weary of it.  We might love others very much yet grow weary of needing to care for them continually.  This sort of weariness can be replaced with refreshment when we consider how gracious God has been to us.  Rather than labouring for the benefit of others or ourselves with hope of gain, we can expend our efforts with gratitude and appreciation for all God has already given and how wonderful He is.  People will gladly intern for nothing to be part of a film crew working insane hours; others will give years of their lives and expertise to volunteer for a cause they believe in.  If we ever begin to grow weary in doing good, we need to consider again God's goodness to us, His faithfulness and the grace He lavishly provides us.  Praise the LORD feelings of weariness can quickly evaporate when we shift our focus from ourselves and how we are feeling to our great God who calls us to Himself.