Devotion for August 1, 2008

The Sudden Desire of a Sluggard

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, [And] gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:6-11 NKJV)

The thing that is so arresting in this proverb is the suddenness by which the sluggard is overtaken. If you have ever had something stolen, you know how quickly a need can arise. Imagine going out to the parking lot this afternoon only to find broken glass where your car used to be. Even this illustration fails to expose how devastating slothfulness can be. Most people would simply call a cab and rent a car until things where fixed.

However, the sluggard is not only overtaken suddenly but also without resources. There is no money to call a cab. There is no insurance on which to fall back. He is left wanting and must face the full impact of his condition. Therefore, there is wisdom in gathering supplies now for future needs. This is easy to understand but some will still fail for their lack of industry.

Perhaps you are very industrious and work long and hard to provide for your family. When it comes to you, no one could accuse you of being slothful. This is admirable, but what about your spiritual life? Do you give the same diligence to keep your soul?

Just like there are season of prosperity and need in our daily travails, there will be spiritual seasons. Trials will come to your family, to you. Sickness may strike without warning. Death hangs over everyone’s head.

How successful will you be in calling out to God for comfort and help when you do not know how to find Him? How will you know His communion when before you have not known it? My dear friend, you who know how to be industrious, will you neglect such an important need. Sure things may be well now. Maybe your casual relationship with God satisfies now, but what then? Will you build an empire of worldly riches and die a spiritual pauper?

Go to the ant you sluggard! “Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. ‘For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:6-9 NKJV)