Read Proverbs 21:1-31. V 5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of everyone that is hasty only to want.
A Midwest judge asked me to visit a young man whom he had recently sentenced to a prison term. It seems that he and some of his buddies had stolen a car, gone for a joy ride, gotten drunk, got into a fight, and someone was killed. Now he was in jail. There was the inevitable suspicion and hostility when he was brought into the visiting area where I awaited him. After a while, we became friends, and he opened his heart to me. I shall always remember the sadness in his voice as he said to me, Doc, I never thought it would end like this. I never thought… and his voice trailed away. To be diligent means to give steady attention and effort until the task is finished. Diligence is associated with concentration. The Bible says this combination leads to plenteousness… having more than enough! On the other hand, behavior that the Bible calls hasty leads to poverty. In the rush to get somewhere in life, hasty actions may cost a person his chance for success and get him out of fellowship with God! (Prov 19:2) Our text also speaks of hasty thoughts and hasty words. How often we have wished that we could un-say something that has been thoughtlessly uttered! But you cannot unscramble an egg. Think… and pray… before you speak. How much better it is, Paul says, to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5) Remember: it is the thoughts of the diligent that provide the key to success. Program the computer of your mind with thoughts that honor your Lord and you will have started the process that leads to what the Bible calls plenteousness. This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages at www.walkwiththeking.org. Used with written permission.
