Not Being Weary in Doing Good

Isaiah 12, II Thessalonians 3:6-13

Isaiah has just told in chapter 11 about how the remnant of the Jews will return to Jerusalem. Their exile and hard life has come from worshipping foreign gods and not living God’s laws, not doing what is right. However, in chapter 12 he tells how God’s anger has turned away and has comforted him. The Lord is his strength and salvation and he praises the Lord for God has done gloriously. The time has come when the Israelites have returned to the Lord and are doing what is right.

Our II Thessalonians passage exhorts the new brothers and sisters in Christ to not grow weary – or become tired of doing what is right. They are to keep away from those not living righteously according to the tradition they were taught by the apostles. These irresponsible folks are not doing any work. Paul tells how his apostles were an example to imitate since they worked day and night to support themselves, eat their own bread, to not burden the church. Paul and his fellow apostles were tentmakers – their trade to support themselves and provide their travel expenses. Paul encourages Christians to work because working is a divine task assigned to all humans. Those who won’t work should not eat. We are to do our work quietly like Paul did to earn our own living.

This is doing what is right and we are encouraged not to grow weary. One definition of being weary is to become reluctant to do something. Another translation is not to become discouraged. Watching the undisciplined eating food without working can make one feel reluctant to do the right of working to buy their own bread.

Isaiah 12 talks about drawing water from the wells of salvation. Being saved brings us trust in the Lord and freedom from fear. God will provide and this is the provision that comes from working to provide our own subsistence. Now there are some jobs we have had that have been far from fulfilling your soul yet you do them to feed your body and provide for your needs.

Instead of becoming discouraged and becoming weary we need to keep trusting in the Lord and doing what is right. Like Isaiah we need to praise the Lord for God’s provision. Amen.

 

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