The Diligent Hand

Genesis 26:12-14, Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs 12:24
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: *He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. *The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Yesterday we studied how Isaac chose to listen to God in a trying time and not just taking the easy way out. Today we shall focus on the fact that Isaac needed to be diligent and work hard in order to do what God wanted Him to do at that time. Immediately Isaac received direction from God, he set out to work and God blessed the work of his hands. He didn't fold his hands and expect God to come and bless him. God doesn't bless the folding of our hands but blesses the works of our hands. God doesn't bless slothfulness, He blesses hard work and diligence.
Jesus Himself wasn't a lazy or an idle person. He was very hardworking and diligent. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. He went about diligently doing the Father's business. God's desire is that both in our spiritual lives and in whatever business or assignment we are engaged in, we would not be slothful but fervent and diligent, Rom.12:11.
Don't deal with a slack hand; carry out all your deals with a diligent hand. Don't leave till tomorrow what you know should be done today. You cannot occupy until Christ comes by folding your hands and being slothful. You can only occupy by going about and diligently doing what God has committed into your hands. Your greatness and lifting to positions of influence is tied to your stewardship and diligence.

PRAYER FOCUS: Heavenly Father, I thank you for giving me the grace to be hardworking and diligent in all my endeavours. Today as I work, I know you will bless the works of my hands and promote me.

Following God's Wisdom in Trying Times

*Genesis 26:1-3*
_And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father._

Decision making can be very tough during trying times. One good question to ask yourself in such times is: am I taking the easy way out or am I following God's will for my life? The easy way out may appear pleasant for your flesh but it may also cause you to miss out on the great glory and blessing that God wants to lead you into through that situation. There is a table that God has prepared for you in the midst of that trying situation. As you remain conscious that God is with you and follow His leading, you will arrive at that table, Psa.23:4-5. To remain in God's will for your life, you must know how to listen to God's voice and follow His leading and wisdom even in your difficult and trying times.

In our text above, Isaac almost missed it but thank God that he listened to God's voice and didn't follow the easy way out. God promised Isaac His presence and His blessings and He wanted him to occupy in that same land where there was famine. The result of Isaac's obedience is seen in Genesis 26:12-14. It says, then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. Pray unto God and He will strengthen you and direct you. You will be strong and productive. You will have influence as you invest the abilities God has given you.

*PRAYER FOCUS:*
_Ask God to strengthen you and to give you the grace to follow His wisdom even in your trying times._

*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN:*  
*ISAIAH 23-27*

_Empowered to Occupy Till He Comes..._