Does God Notice?

 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:6:7-10 ESV).

 

“No good deed goes unpunished,” complained the man in the bored and burned out in his career. He was frustrated at the lack of gratitude he perceived from fellow employees he had tried to help. Often in life we reap the ­effects of poor decisions we have made. But sometimes, even when we have tried to do what is right and help others, life seems unfair. It can look as if carelessness and sinful behavior get rewarded, while kindness goes unnoticed (see Psalm 73).

 

The apostle Paul assures believers that God does pay attention. To spiritually fatigued Christians in Galatia, Paul offered a vision of the harvest. He pointed them back to the work of the Spirit, sent in Jesus’ name to grow the fruit of righteousness within them (cf. Galatians 5:22). As with crop development, such growth does not occur all at once. But that does not mean God is not at work around us or in or through us.

 

When our good works go unnoticed by others, God still sees. And though it can take a long time to weed out the effects of our sinful nature, God gives us an eternal perspective on the Spirit’s work in us. Because Jesus took on the punishment for our failures, we can be sure that God will apply his goodness to us.

 

Are you weary of trying to do good? Don’t give up. In his time, God will provide a harvest.  While it might feel as if He doesn’t show this attention soon enough, it is always on time. Rejoice in the timing of God’s good harvest in your life.