O: Diligence adds value to your gift and value attracts people of value. In this context to add value is to increase worth. It causes your gift to become greater, reach further, solve more problems, last longer and is often directly related to how much people would be willing to pay for it.  “King” in this scripture could also represent a person of value or the people of influence in your field of endeavour. People of value always love valuable things. Kings always want the best. For example, in 1 Samuel 16 when Saul needed someone to come to the palace to help him, his foremost requirement was someone very skillful on the harp. What’s more, in this account King Saul required this skill to solve a problem of the tormenting spirit. Only someone with the right level of skill would be employed to play before King Saul; to provide the solution. In week 18 we recognised that diligence is required for success in anything and that there is no shortcut. To get to the place we desire where we are able to offer the world our best, we cannot escape the process and we need to be diligent throughout. This is the value of diligence. 

 

A: When was the last time you knew you were on the path of diligence, doing the acts required to develop and grow? Make time and space in your daily schedule to restart those activities and commit to them. Ask God for the strength you need to keep going. 

 

P: Lord thank you for reminding me how valuable diligence is. Show me the things I should commit to grow and develop the gifts you have given me, and grant me the strength to keep going even when it is hard.