In the Way Of Righteousness There Is Life
The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but
the root of the righteous endures.
Proverbs
12:12
Diligent hands will rule, but
laziness ends in forced labor.
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a
kind word cheers it up.
The righteous choose their friends
carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
The lazy do not roast any game, but
the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
In the way of righteousness there is
life; along that path is immortality.
Proverbs
12:24-28
It was the
seventh-grader’s first cross-country meet, but she didn’t want to run. Although
she’d been preparing for the event, she was afraid of doing poorly. Still, she
started the race with everyone else. Later, one by one the other runners
finished the two-mile course and crossed the finish line—everyone except the
reluctant runner. Finally, her mom, who was watching for her daughter to
finish, saw a lone figure in the distance. The mother went to the finish line,
preparing to comfort a distraught competitor. Instead, when the young runner
saw her mom, she exclaimed, “That was awesome!”
What can be awesome
about finishing last? Finishing!
The girl had
tried something difficult and had accomplished it! Scripture honors hard work
and diligence, a concept often learned through sports or music or other things
that require perseverance and effort.
Proverbs
12:24 says, “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.” And
later we read, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to
poverty” (14:23). These wise principles—not promises—can help us serve God
well.
God’s plan
for us always included work. Even before the fall, Adam was to “work [the
Garden] and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). And any effort we make should be
done “with all [our] heart” (Colossians 3:23). Let’s work in the strength He
gives us—and leave the results to Him.
What
are some areas where I can learn from this teenager to be diligent and
persevere? How does doing my best and working hard honor God?
Heavenly Father, whatever it is You have
asked me to do today—big or small—help me to do it.
Our Daily Bread – November 8, 2019