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.
William Wilberforce led a campaign against the British
Parliament to abolish slavery in the late 1700's and early 1800's. During the
course of his intense efforts, Wilberforce came to a desperate place of
discouragement, feeling he had absolutely no more strength to continue. In this
condition, he was about to give up, when his elderly friend, John Wesley, lying
on his deathbed, was informed of his friend William's distress. Wesley
requested pen and paper, and with a quivering hand, wrote these words,
"Unless God has raised you up for this very thing,
you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for
you, who can be against you? Are all of them stronger than God? Oh be not weary
of well-doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till
even American slavery shall vanish away before it."
John Wesley died six days later, but William Wilberforce
fought for forty-five more years, and in 1833, three days before his own death,
witnessed the abolition of slavery in Britain.
Do not grow weary in well-doing, for we can still
triumph! It's exactly when everything looks hopeless that our God has the
opportunity to display His awesome power. Even the great men that changed
history needed a word of encouragement now and then – so be encouraged, and be
an encourager! You never know when you may enable another saint to continue
pressing on, or how that may change the world!
Dear Lord, help us be the one to encourage someone today
to keep working toward the goal. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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