December 23, 2024
A call to be active always - An apt message for our hearts
Read: Zechariah 1-2; Proverbs 24; Revelation 14
Scripture: Proverbs 24: 32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 34 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
Observation: Unlike the previous generations, human life has become easy due to available technologies and new tools that simplify our work. We can do many things/works without even moving from one place. However, it has a flip side that invites many problems for us. A sedentary or inactive lifestyle is becoming a global issue that causes many health issues today. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) estimate, a sedentary lifestyle is “the fourth largest global killer” today. Many current Statistics give us a warning that this should not be continued. Here, in Pro.24:32-34, Solomon tells us what he observed and learned when he saw the poor condition of the field of a sluggard.
Scholars suggest that all our body senses should be open to learning new and useful things. The author just saw a lazy person's vineyard that has no proper maintenance and is full of weeds and thorns. Then, he analyses how it may have happened and shows us a picture of a typical lazy person who refuses to leave his bed or do anything by making excuses. Proverbs 24:32-34 repeats the same that we read in Pro.6:10-11. Interestingly, none wants to be a sluggard, but all laziness starts from postponing and procrastinating things to another time. A lazy person wants to do everything without getting down from bed (Pro.6:9, 26:14). The author of Proverbs says that poverty and scarcity would be the reward for laziness. In other words, a sluggard will earn nothing by laziness but will receive harmful consequences. However, those who work hard will have abundance (Pro. 12:11). Proverbs 6:6 indicates that a lazy person can learn from even ants and needs to be active and wise like them. If we neglect to give proper care to our spiritual and physical needs, we will find no fruits in them. We should be like the prudent son “who gathers crops in summer.” Like a plant needs continual care, our spiritual life requires our attention to be strong in the Lord and grow in him. Our physical and spiritual freshness is reflected in our daily activities. We should not neglect God, his word, and the Holy Spirit. If we want to bear fruits, we must remain in Christ. He prunes us to bear more fruits for the glory of God. We should not neglect our relationship with God and our spiritual life.
Application: I should not be a lazy person in my life. I must give proper care to my body and spiritual life. I should be careful to keep my spiritual and physical life active and refreshing. I should not neglect my responsibility to care for my physical and spiritual life. I will keep my relationship with the Lord Jesus intact and intimate by reading the Bible, praying regularly, remaining in him, and living like him.
Prayer: Father God, help me be an active Christian, to practice what I believe about you. Realizing our life is short, and Jesus’ coming is near, I pray for the salvation of all people. Holy Spirit, help me be faithful and be an active Christian always. Amen
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 357