And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. (Mark 16:1)

Let us consider these women: They had planned to do a good thing — we know that it was a good thing because when Mary anointed Jesus at Bethany, He Himself said that she had wrought a “good work” on Him (Mark 14:6).  Furthermore, they had risen early that they might do this before their other duties began to clamor for attention. In addition, they had spent money on these spices.

All of this effort and expense came to nought because Jesus had risen: God had a plan which they did not understand.

How often have we spent time, energy, money on something we wanted to do be a blessing, only to find out that it wasn’t needed?  What is our reaction?  Do we get angry and determine never to do something like this again. God still mentioned what these women did; it is recorded for all time. He has no word of reproach for them. If we had been planning a good thing, and then God’s working makes it not necessary, let us not get discouraged, but continue to do good as occasions arise.