Josh McDowell's Youth DevotionsSample

DON'T GIVE UP! No supermarkets. No pizza delivery. No convenience stores. No drive-through. No restaurants. That's what things were like when the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the churches of Galatia. You see, in those days, most people grew their own food in their own fields. During the spring they would have to work long, hard days plowing the ground and planting seeds. Then all summer they would take care of what they had planted, which involved weeding, watering, and keeping the wild animals from stealing or destroying their crops. In the fall they would harvest and store their food for the winter. If a man and his family got tired of planting or weeding or harvesting and decided to quit, they would be in big trouble. The only way they could be assured of having something to eat that winter would be to keep going. They couldn't run down to the grocery store or supermarket for a can of creamed corn. They couldn't order a pizza. If they didn't work hard through the spring, summer, and fall, they would go hungry all winter. It's the same with us. Fighting temptation and making right choices can be hard. It can be a pain sometimes to be the only one in your family (or class or neighborhood) who's trying to do right. That's why Paul, in today's Bible reading, says, "Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time" (Galatians 6:9). No matter how hard it gets, don't give up. No matter who makes fun of you, don't get discouraged. No matter how tough it is, don't get tired. Keep leaning on God. Keep asking him to help you. Keep making right choices. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it. God's Word assures us that those who persevere will someday "reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time." REFLECT: Do you ever get tired of fighting temptation and making right choices? Do you ever get discouraged and feel like giving up? What does God's Word promise to you if you keep following God and obeying his Word? PRAY: "Father God, I do get tired of fighting temptation and making right choices sometimes. Thank you for the encouragement to keep following you and for your promise that I'll 'reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time' if I don't give up. Help me to keep going and to please you in everything I do."