Diligence

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

Men and women are made in the image of God. Yet, the toll sin has taken on humankind has led many into carelessness and indolence. Solomon encourages the sluggard to consider the ways of the ant – a very small insect – and be wise. Described in Proverbs as one who loves sleep (he is anchored to his bed where he turns as on hinges), he makes outlandish excuses so that he doesn’t have to work (Proverbs 26:13-14).

A slothful character will suffer in business and in life as he shirks hard work and procrastinates at every step. Commentator Matthew Henry wrote that “spiritual poverty comes upon those that are slothful in the service to God,” and it will come “silently and insensibly.”

Learn from the ant, Solomon says. It needs no leader to motivate it to work. It knows to gather food at harvest time, though days may be long and hard. Those who work steadily and intentionally to accomplish tasks will receive their reward. Solomon states that “the hand of the diligent makes rich… the hand of the diligent will rule“ and “the soul of the diligent is richly supplied“ (Proverbs 10:4, 12:24, 13:4). The lesson for humanity is not just to work hard, but to manage affairs wisely, planning for the future – not only materially but spiritually. The psalmist wrote that his spirit made a “diligent search” for the Lord and that God has commanded His “precepts to be kept diligently“ (Psalm 77:6, 119:4).

Spend time with the Lord through His Word and in prayer. Be encouraged in your walk with your Savior as you prepare to weather the trials of life. Stay strong in your faithful service. Intercede diligently for those in government whose faith is being attacked, that they may stand firm and do what is right.