19 January 2021

For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each one of you to show the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6: 10-20, NRSV

The writer of this letter to the Hebrews clearly sees a need to give the people a break from his teaching and to offer them some reassurance and encouragement. He tells them that God is not unjust and that their works and the love they have shown are seen by and matter to God. For most of the people in this community, and for us too, it is likely that many good actions and works of love would have seemed small or unimportant and gone largely unnoticed. However, all these acts, no matter how small, are part of the fulfilment of God’s purpose and as necessary as the grand and noteworthy acts.

• • What difference does it make to know that God sees all that is done in loving service of others? 
  • What encourages you to persevere with small acts of faith?

Pray today for those who feel discouraged or overlooked.