United Church of God

Letter From Andy Diemer - July 8, 2020

Letter From Andy Diemer

July 8, 2020

The Diligent Hand

You can usually tell if someone is a hard worker. It is the person who is constantly doing something productive. A manager appreciates the diligent employee who will always be found doing the job. This is the one who works around the obstacles and finds a way to get things done. The attitude of a diligent worker is what God desires in us when it comes to our calling.

A wise father named King Solomon once counseled his son on the value of working hard. He wanted his son to be a success in life, and his wisdom applies to our spiritual lives. Solomon's proverbs compare the lazy to the diligent. He wrote, "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich" (Proverbs 10:4). Indeed, all people want good things, but those things do not come without effort. The same applies to our spiritual lives. Inheriting an entrance into the kingdom of God requires you to labor at growing and overcoming. It requires you to "work out your own salvation" (Philippians 2:12). We want it, and we must be constantly working at it; it does not come without our effort. As Solomon said, "The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich" (Proverbs 13:4). Indeed, as we labor without ceasing at the work of our salvation, we lay up treasure in heaven.

Solomon's wise proverbs on diligence apply directly to our calling. He also said, "The hand of the diligent will rule," (Proverbs 12:24), just as we will rule with Christ in the kingdom of God. He said to his son, "Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings" (Proverbs 22:29). That will be us, standing before the true King of Kings if we remain steadfast and diligent to our calling. The hard-working person does not give up in difficulty just as Solomon wrote, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Likewise, we must "not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9).

So, brethren, take the wise king's advice on diligence and apply it to your spiritual life. "Show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end" (Hebrews 6:11). Keep up your spiritual labors in the Lord; keep on doing the things that assure your coming salvation. As another wise person, the apostle Peter said, "looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14)!

Warm regards,

Andy

Pastor