Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6

To be considered lazy is not a compliment. We don't have high opinions of people who refuse to provide for themselves.

It is striking that God uses the lowly ant as an example for us to follow. Just watch an ant. It is always on the go, a study of perpetual motion. The ant seems to be one of the busiest creatures God has put on this earth.

God does not want us to be lazy. It is His will that we should work and work hard. Our body is so constituted that it cannot remain healthy and strong unless it is engaged in some activity.

Jesus had work to do. He said that He must do the work of the one who sent Him (John 9:4). Thank God, Jesus fulfilled His work. He sacrificed His life for us -- a labor of love on our behalf. We have forgiveness and life with God, now and forever.

"Idleness is the devil's workshop," it is said. As we make our way through life, let us remind ourselves to work while we have the opportunity, because "night is coming, when no one can work" (John 9:4).

May we diligently labor and live for our Lord, using all the opportunities in life that He gives us to love for Him.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to realize that there is so much work to do for You in and through my life. Amen.

(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 21    Obadiah    2 Corinthians 8

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