Reading
SAA Notes
There are several proverbs today dealing with your behaviour and reactions to people – viz. the verbs: rescue; hold back; don’t lie in wait, gloat, fret. Payback is unwise, even stupid! 24:29
SJA Notes
* Mighty God, Your wisdom is the best foundation, please teach us today.
“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,”
The sluggard is a person who lacks sense.
This is true in earthly matters. This is true in spiritual matters.
“… And behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.”
The outworking of the sluggard, not working, can be very obvious.
This is true both from an earthly lens and the spiritual lens.
Are our souls overgrown with thorns, are our walls broken down?
“Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, and little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”
This can be seen in roles such as farmers – a slack and lazy farmer stands out like a sore thumb.
But there is a spiritual warning here.
Don’t be a sluggard toward the things of God – That way lies spiritual poverty.
In Ecclesiastes 3 we read,
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,”
And in Colossians 3 we read,
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.”
How do we combat spiritual sloth and laziness?
Fear the Lord!
We work for He who thunders from the heavens, He who sends the tempest and calms the raging waters, He who spun this creation into being and continues to power its existence.
Fear the Lord!
* Heavenly Father,
Please rescue us from the temptation to be spiritually lazy.
Please fix within us a desire to please You. And when we grow weary, please remind us of that wonderful hope, the inheritance we have in You. When we fall please raise us up again, in You.
Amen.