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The Call to Diligence for 2024

December 31, 2023

Hebrews 12:28-29

28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Wes King
The wise will hear Him and obey his Word
Long and blessed will be their days upon the earth
The fool will perish in the folly of his ways
Do you tremble at the Word of God

Proverbs 12:27

A lazy person does not roast his prey, but the precious possession of a person is diligence.

Luke 14:28-30

28 For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who are watching it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build, and was not able to finish!’

Constancy of Purpose—Attentive and Industriousness—Persistence
This is the timbre of a diligent person.

Steven K Scott
“The Richest Man Who Ever Lived”
“Being truly diligent, Solomon tells us, brings us priceless rewards, while lack of diligence can produce devastating consequences”

There are 7 clear advantages to living a diligent life
Diligence provides a sure advantage
Diligence gives us a measure of control in our lives
Diligence provides true fulfillment
Diligence will bring respect and admiration to you and your family
Diligence will satisfy your deepest needs
Diligence will allow you to prosper in all things
Diligence will make your efforts profitable

Proverbs 21:5

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage.”

There’s a ton of competition at ordinary…but almost none at extraordinary.

Imaginal cells are the only cells inside of a caterpillar that understand that in the future, the caterpillar will turn into a butterfly.

Proverbs 12:24

“The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor.”

Titus 2:11-12

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Proverbs 13:4

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.”

1. Usain Bolt— 9.58
2. Tyson Gay— 9.71
3. Asafa POWELL— 9.84
4. Daniel Bailey— 9.93
5. Richard Thompson— 9.93

Genesis 2:15

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”

Have you found that one thing that God has uniquely created you for to shine forth His glory and to serve His kingdom?

Have you spent any time in 2023 searching for that one thing?

If you have found that one thing that God has uniquely created you for…what are you doing to develop it?

Discussion Questions

  1. Bruce Waltke in his commentary on Proverbs defines the Hebrew word for diligent as:
  2. a. Someone who demonstrates Constancy of Purposeb. Someone who is attentive and industriousc. Someone who is persistent in an effort to complete something
  3. Describe these attributes and share an area in your life where you most need these attributes.
  4. There were 7 advantages to diligence identified. We discussed 3. Describe how a diligent spirit provides:
  5. a. Sure advantage in lifeb. A measure of control of our livesc. True fulfillment
  6. Solomon says that: “The soul of the sluggard craves but gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat”. Describe where you have seen that play out in life.