Diligence: November 16, 2012

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2012.

DILIGENCE

DEFINITION:

Hardworking; persevering; dutiful; earnest.

SCRIPTURE:

Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer. Proverbs 30:25.

Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise. Proverbs 6:6.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Ants seem like a small and significant creature yet in the two verses we have put above ants are held up by King Solomon as an example of industry for those who tend to be lazy. King Solomon suggests that we would be wise to consider the ways of the ant. Ants have no captain but on their own gather their food in the summer and they store it up for the fall harvest. They are constantly working to find food and bring it back to their nest. The ant prepares for the time when food may be scarce.

The ant is an example of industry, diligence and planning. The ant serves as a rebuke to a sluggard, a lazy person who lacks self discipline. King Solomon is warning people against laziness. Laziness keeps us from our responsibilities to provide for ourselves and this is not acceptable to God.

It is apparent that King Solomon was a keen observer of God’s creations and of human behavior. From the ant we can see the importance of planning ahead and laying away provisions for the future (Proverbs 30:25).

King Solomon has passed on to us his insights and guidelines for living not only a productive life but a God-honoring life. The lazy person ducks responsibility and procrastinates planning for the future. As a result the lazy person wastes both opportunities and gifts that God has to him.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 6:33.

But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

PRAYER:

Help me to be wise and learn from Your marvelous creations valuable life-style lessons. Thank You that Your Word is truth and that the truth of Your Word makes me wise.