Do Not Weary in Doing Good on the Day of Small Things
It is the devil’s work to discourage the Christian. The fact that depression visits so many believers is proof of our spiritual warfare. Our adversary is not ignorant of our patterns and aspects of weakness. Lucifer is not responsible for our sins, but he tempts us where and when we are vulnerable.
The father of lies keeps his children in the state of darkness (Jn 8:44). He blinds His subjects in the kingdom of this world of darkness (2 Cor 4:4). He spurs them on to hate and evil deeds — to sin more — and more significantly. They love the darkness because their deeds, like those of their father, are evil (Jn 3:19; 8:44). The great deceiver’s work with the deceived is different than his work with those who have been born again.
Unbelievers relish, even cherish, their sins. They boast in their achievements, acquisitions, conquests, and in their plans to profit even more in this world. In contrast, believers hate their sins, and they groan while waiting for the redemption of their bodies, at the resurrection from the dead, on the day of Christ’s return. Because sin still plays a role in the life of the child of God, depression may arise when sins are entertained, following demonic temptation.
For Christians, who are actively engaged in works of service in the church, sins of envy and jealousy can visit because of another slave of Christ prospering in some manner. For this reason, Christians must be encouraged to press on with their labors as unto the Lord. Quitting ministries can be the manifestation of the devil’s assurance that one’s contribution to the body of Christ is worthless. Obviously, this is not true.
The day of small things is a reality for most children of God. We labor in love for our Savior because we are constrained by His love. In other words, He that is in us is greater than our adversary and his legions of demons at work in the world. God is love (1 Jn 4:8) and Christ, who is God, lives in us (Gal 2:20), by His Spirit who is at work in and through us (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Phil 2:13).
When Christians grow weary, especially in the day of small things, it is because of the fiery darts of the enemy. Satan attacks in a myriad of ways, but the mind is a prime target. He lies so to discourage the saints of God. Thoughts of self-pity and disengagement occupy the mind. The heart aches from wrong information wrongly interpreted, “Nobody understands…nobody cares…which is why I don’t care, anymore.” With the heart and mind deceived, the body finds a back row seat in the sanctuary or maybe a deck chair at the lake, instead, on Sunday mornings.
If you have disengaged from local church ministry, then be assured that you are being tricked by the hater of your soul. In order to re-engage, you must remember a few things.
First, your identity as a Christian was determined by your Creator before the foundation of the world! This includes your gender, your personality, your gifting, your good works, and every other aspect of your life and ministry. God has made you to be someone and to do some things, in concert with the whole body of Christ around the world and across history.
Second, you are living in the midst of a cosmic conflict between Satan and God. When God sent His Spirit to you, in order to secure you, it infuriated the strong man who had you enslaved to himself. As a slave to sin, you did the devil’s bidding, and now your work exposes him and his evil deeds. The more proficient you are in your God-given tasks, the greater his attacks against you. Having an all-around bad week, month, or year? Well done, good and faithful servant…enter the joy of returning to His service!
Third, you must remember that your victory is faith in Christ (1 Jn 5:4)…not yourself or your performance. Christ has overcome the world (Jn 16:33), and God is leading you in His triumph (2 Cor 2:14). Because you have been justified by faith (Rom 3:28; 5:1), there is no condemnation for you now or to come (Rom 8:1; 1 Thess 1:10). All Christians sin, but the remedy is simple confession and repentance (both products of His grace!) before moving on. The sin of pride will hinder that because the devil does not want you to move on.
Fourth, do truth, first, then get back to doing good. You may be down because of trouble in the church…again. Remember that the ruler of this world is quite happy with his progressive destruction plan for the world. He is not happy with Christ’s church, which is a thorn in his side. The prime target for Satan’s assault is the body of Christ, especially pastors, their wives, and their children. If you are impacting the advance of the kingdom of God or exposing the kingdom of this world, then expect attacks from the evil one via his minions.
In dealing with the devil, your task is not to flee the church or your contributions to her, but it is to stand your ground, be immoveable, and resist the devil (1 Cor 15:58; Jas 4:7). Your hope is not in this world. It is in Christ and His coming for you and His whole church. Your suffering joins with Christ and all the saints (Col 1:24), for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10), and your suffering is not to be compared with the glory soon to be revealed to you. So, count it all joy (Jas 1:2).
As a side note, dear Christian, you may be surprised by the fact that your trouble is more prevalent inside your church family, more so than in the world around you. This is not an anomaly. The New Testament epistles were mostly written because there were diverse troubles in the various local churches (see Revelation 2–3, too!). We must be even more committed to the ministry of reconciliation within the church when trouble arises. Unity in the church is precious but not at the expense of truth. Be wise, love the brotherhood.
Finally, each of our lives is a vapor in the scope of history, so redeem the time (Eph 5:16; Col 4:5). In these evil days, the Lord does not forget your good deeds or the love you have shown toward His name (Heb 6:10). At the end of our days, all of us and all of our works are unprofitable (Lk 17:10), but by His grace He turns it all to work together for good (Rom 8:28). He is causing His grace to abound toward you in matters big and small. Seeing you through every ordeal brings glory to Him, as you give thanks in all things and at all times.
God’s love for His beloved never needs be questioned because of Christ, whom He did not withhold from you. He is enough from this day forth and forevermore. Look to Him and be ye renewed for every good deed regardless of its size.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 1, 2022
