WORDS OF LIFE DEVOTIONAL
MONDAY, 28TH JULY, 2025
REV. EKOW ESHUN
”The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.”
In Joshua 1:8, we are told: ”This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (NKJV). This scripture clearly shows us how we can make the right choices that will make us successful in life. Three of these choices have to do with:
- The constant speaking of God’s Word,
- The regular meditation on God’s Word and
- The constant practice of the Word of God.
According to the scripture, the results of these three attitudes and actions are success and prosperity.
If success does not show in a believer’s life, part of the reason will be related to these three attitudes towards God’s Word among others. Praise be to God, the writer of the book of Proverbs throws more light on this matter of success, wellbeing and progress. Today’s verse in particular emphasizes diligence.
What is diligence? How important is it? It is steady, persevering effort. It is the ability to apply or do something with perseverance. Simply put, it is hard work. Most of the time, the result of hardwork and perseverance is great improvement or excellence. The opposite of this is laziness and average work.
Proverbs reminds us that diligence will promote a person to a place of opportunity and rulership. The writer is actually referring to a place of promotion and leadership. Indeed, rulers make decisions that shape the future of many people. What does this teach all of us?
Success does not respond to mediocrity. Success and laziness cannot be friends. Success and promotion do not accomodate excuses. Every believer has a crucial part to play in his or her own success or failure.
Determine not to be like those who are fond of blaming Satan and evil spirits always for their challenges. Sometimes, some believers are guilty of this. Rather than taking full responsibility for their lives and progress, they shift the blame and wrongly pass on the responsibility to others. Adam did similarly. After he and Eve sinned and the consequences began, he blamed God for giving him Eve.
Take charge of your life now and focus on being diligent. Don’t grow weak and blame anyone. This is how strong men and women of faith are made. How? They are built through challenges. Do whatever you are doing very well. It was said of our Lord Jesus Christ in Mark 7, verse 37 that; ”He has done all things well.” This must be your standard and motivation.
PRAYER
Thank you Father for the opportunity to grow in my daily walk with you. By means of the Spirit-filled life, I am able to overcome the flesh and develop the attitude of diligence. Thank you for the strength that your grace supplies me daily. I am therefore energised constantly. Failure is not my portion in Jesus’s name, Amen.
FURTHER READING (NKJV)
II PETER 1:5-10
[5]But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
[6]to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
[7]to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
[8]For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[9]For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
[10]Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble…..”