Proverbs 21

ScriptureProverbs 21:5 (ESV)The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,    but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.Observation - What does it say?Solomon continues to share his God-given wisdom.Understanding - What does it mean?Have you ever earnestly sought God for something and also put in work to see it happen but didn’t experience the results you hoped for? Have you ever expected God to ‘show up’ at a certain time and instead he seemed to delay? I’m reminded of the farmer James refers to:James 5:7-8  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. What do you do when you have been faithful to plow, plant and cultivate but aren't seeing any fruit? The farmer is patient. And his patience isn't passive. As he's patiently waiting, he is working hard to water, fertilize and prune his crops.We aren’t very good in our western culture with patience. We want things quickly. When God makes a promise we expect him to fulfill it tomorrow. When we pray, we expect God to answer in the next 5 minutes. When we aren’t getting the results we hoped for right away, we immediately question and doubt. “Did I really hear God right?” “Is God really faithful?” “Am I doing something wrong?” And, in all of our questioning we are tempted to make hasty decisions.

In this verse, Solomon contrasts planning and being diligent with being hasty. I present the question again, in light of this verse: What do you do when you have been faithful to plow, plant and cultivate but aren't seeing any fruit? Solomon would encourage us, “Continue to be diligent and it will lead surely to abundance!”

Discipleship is a long obedience in the same direction.  Diligence. Daily faithfulness.

Galatians 6:9  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Diligence in the right areas will lead to a great harvest. Hastiness on the other hand will surely lead to poverty. In this season are you setting yourself up for harvest or poverty?Life ApplicationDon’t allow impatience to lead me to hasty decisions!  Be faithful each day to seek God and give ourselves to making disciples.God, we recognize your timing is perfect. You will bring a harvest if we will continue in obedience to you. Please give us the strength and resolve to stay the course and remain faithful to you until the harvest comes. And, if at any point we are off or need to be doing something different, show us and make it clear. Amen.- Levi Thompson 

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