In what ways can we apply the principle of diligence from Ezekiel 39:14? Text for meditation “Men will be regularly employed to cleanse the land. They will set aside men to pass through the land and bury those travelers who remain on the surface of the ground. At the end of seven months they will begin their search.” – Ezekiel 39:14 Diligence demonstrated in the passage • Continuous labor: “regularly employed” points to steady, organized effort. • Delegated teams: specific men are “set aside” for the task—planning, staffing, accountability. • Thorough follow-up: a fresh search after seven months shows commitment to finishing well, not merely starting. • Clear purpose: cleansing the land so it is fit for God’s presence and His people’s use. Key principles to carry forward • Work that matters to God deserves sustained, organized attention. • Delegation and teamwork are acts of stewardship, not signs of weakness. • Completion includes review; diligence tests results, not just intentions. • Holiness and cleanliness require ongoing maintenance, not one-time action. Daily-life applications • Spiritual housecleaning – Set a rhythm for Scripture meditation and confession; don’t wait for crisis moments. – Periodically review habits, media intake, relationships—remove anything defiling. • Vocational excellence – Plan tasks, set deadlines, and revisit projects until objectives are fully met. – Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men.” • Family leadership – Assign chores, ministries, and follow up lovingly; teach children that diligence honors God. • Church ministry – Organize teams with clear roles, track progress, revisit goals; stewardship of people and resources reflects reverence. • Personal growth – 2 Peter 1:10: “Be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure.” Regular self-examination keeps faith vibrant. Additional Scriptural encouragements • Proverbs 10:4: “Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” • Proverbs 12:24: “The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.” • Hebrews 6:11: “We want each of you to show the same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” |
    |