Introductory Thoughts
The previous few devotions have shown that diligence and laziness are opposing traits. In this passage, the Bible explores further into the unsavoury traits of a slothful man. Proverbs 26:13 refers to the slothful man mentioning a lion in the streets. Interestingly, a lazy man is not truly concerned about the lion, but looking for any type of an excuse to stay in bed rather than to perform his duties for the day. He claims that the lion will slay him should he leave the house (Proverbs 22:13). Since the slothful does not consider work an option, he retreats to his bed. There he is found like a door swinging on the hinges (Proverbs 26:14). As a door simply swings back and forth, so the slothful man’s main activity involves rolling from one side to the other with excuse piled upon excuse for his laziness.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): God wants us to be good dependable workers. Shoving your toys, shoes, clothes, books, etc., under the bed is not straightening your room. It is being lazy (slothful). Where do these things belong in your room?
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(For everyone): Are you constantly looking for an excuse not to do the things that you ought to do? Do you look for reasons not to go to work, school, or church? Do you look for excuses not to serve the Lord, especially when it involves work? Do you, like the slothful man, always assume the worst in a situation?
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What is your overall work ethic? Are you sloppy and always looking for shortcuts? If so, you need to consider whether others would consider you slothful or diligent and change your ways to please the Lord.
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to show you the difference between genuine grounds for not working and when you are making excuses to avoid it. The Lord in the day of judgment will accept no excuses.
- Ask the Lord to give you a sincere desire to work hard for Him.
Song
I WANT THAT MOUNTAIN
