A satisfactory outcome or result in our life-goals is seldom easy. The opportunity to succeed often comes disguised as hard work and requires effort, opposite the actions of the proverbial “dead fish” which simply floats. He may seem to be successful, for he is moving, though it is always down-stream. The price of success is within every persons reach, embodied in our time, focus, and belief. If we fail in life we must look in the mirror to find the reason. The Bible is that mirror that points out to us why we failed. Success does not come to the lucky, but the diligent. Success is not a goal but a process. Success comes because of an “I will” attitude that manifests in the correct action of seeking God to find His purpose for us, and then pursuing that purpose, diligently. “So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened” (Luke 11: 9-10, Amplified Bible). We see this in the example of Daniel, who prayed for 21 days on the same issue. Jesus is a great example to us also. He was the most hindered person to ever attempt to reach His goal. Success in Christianity is overcoming the world system (1 John 5: 4). For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus overcame the world (Jn.16:33). These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jesus was also tempted in all points as we are (He.4:15). For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. We identify with Him and then receive His success in life as we receive revelation of His life and victory. Our reception and application of truth is the key. Our diligence to receive revelation of that nature frees us from the lies of this world system (Jn.8:31-32). Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Christ’s complete triumph over the enemy of our souls and the world system he controls laid down the possibility of our complete triumph also. From the Book of Proverbs we see this; “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame” (10: 4-5). The word “diligent’ here means “incised,” while the active form is “incisive” which has the idea of a mining instrument which digs for gold. Figuratively it means “determination” or “eager.” The opposing thought of the writer is a person who “deals with a “slack hand.” That person is remissive, characterized by negligence. They are careless, slow in performing their duties. They lack force or energy, displaying sluggishness. “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat” (Pr.13: 4). Success comes because of that diligence. “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want” (Pr.21:5). Proverbs 22: 29 goes along with the same thought, saying that the diligent shall “stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” The word “mean” here means “dark” or obscure. This is to say that every diligent man shall be independent and respectable. And then we see this from Hebrews; But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (11:6). God desires to help those who search Him out, craving and demanding His help. He rewards the ones who trust and believe in Him. The diligent will find God is helping him in his walk here and insuring his success. But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul (Jos.22:5). In this Scripture we see the word “diligent, which from the Hebrew is H3966 meôd (meh-ode(, meaning “diligent, vehemence, speedily). Also, from Psalms we see; Psa 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search (77:6). Here the word “diligent” comes from H2664 châphaś (khaw-fas), meaning “diligent, to seek, to conceal so as to be sought). Then from Proverbs we see; Pro 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (10:4). Here the Hebrew word is H2742 chârûts chârûts (khaw-roots, khaw-roots), meaning “diligent, incised or (active) incisive; hence a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing sledge (having sharp teeth); determination; also eager: - decision, diligent, (fine) gold, pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall.” Following are several Scriptures having the translated word “diligent” in them; The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. (incised- Pr.12:24) The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. (incised- Pr.12:27) The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. (incised- Pr.13:4) The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. (incised- Pr.21:5) Another word from the Hebrew translated as diligent is H4929 mishmâr (mish-mawr) which means “diligence- a guard (the man, the post, or the prison); also a deposit; (watchman)”. This is the word translated as diligence in Proverbs 4:23- “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” In the New Testament we see the Greek translated as diligent also. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you (2Co.8:22). Here the Greek word is G4705 spoudaios (spoo-dah-yos), translated as “diligent- prompt, energetic, earnest.” Another form is used in Peter’s Second Letter; Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless (2Pe.3:14). There the Greek is G4704 spoudazō (spoo-dad-zo), meaning “diligent- to use speed, to make effort, be prompt or earnest, endeavor, labor, study.” Another Greek word translated as diligence comes from the Greek G2039 ergasia (er-gas-ee-ah), translated as “diligence- occupation; by implication profit, pains: - craft, diligence, gain, work.” That word is used in Luke; When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison (12:58). Another Greek word is translated in Romans 12:8, where the Scripture says, “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” There the Greek is G4710 spoudē (spoo-day) and translated as “diligence- speed, dispatch, eagerness, earnestness: haste.” We see that word used in the following; 2Co 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. (speed- 2Co.8:7) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: (speed- He.6:11)) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (speed- 2Pe.1:5)) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (speed- 2Pe.1:10). So what is God telling us through this word? Being diligent or using diligence will: 1. Cause us to cling to God; 2. Cause us to search for God’ 3. Cause us to become rich; 4. Cause us to bear rule; 5. Cause us to have precious substance; 6. Cause us to be made “fat” (rich); 7. Cause our thoughts to tend to plenty; 8. Cause us to stand before kings; 9. Cause us to prosper in business; 10. Cause us to be found in Christ in peace; 11. Cause us to guard our hearts; 12. Cause us to agree with our adversary and avoid costly penalties; 13. Cause us to be prepared for eternity; 14. Cause us to add to our faith those things that are beneficial; In other words, if we will get off our “blessed assurance” and “get with it” we will accomplish God’s purpose and fulfill our part of His plan in this earth. So, let us be DILIGENT in God’s plan!!!!
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:12:04 +0000
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