Bible Verses About

Posts Tagged ‘dilligence’

“Do you see a man skilled in his work?  He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:19

This Bible verse has always motivated me to persevere and do things to the best of my ability.  So often I squander my talents, not really caring all that much about what I’m doing, more eager to find a comfortable situation than to really strive toward excellence.  But then I’ll read a verse like this one, and I’ll realize that it’s better to be the kind of man who really cares about the work he does, even if the work seems mundane, just for the principle of the thing.  Perseverance is often rewarded in the end.  People who take the time to strive toward excellence will serve before kings and have their talent recognized.  That’s a comforting thing to know.

It’s so easy to just settle for good enough, working just to live and make end’s meet.  But I don’t want to live like that.  Life is short, and I don’t want to spend the whole of my life pouring my effort into things that I don’t really care about.  I want to strive toward excellence and perseverance in the hopes that the work of my hands will one be recognized and rewarded.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

I like the combination of being strong and not giving up.  Perseverance mixed with courage is a powerful pairing.  It’s difficult being strong and not giving up, unless one knows there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.  That’s why I love the promise at the end of this verse.  Be strong and don’t give up, it won’t all be in vain like you’re worried it will be.  So often people seem to work hard for awhile and then get discouraged.  It’s tough keeping up hope in the midst of difficult times.  One of the hardest things in life is to keep working hard and staying strong, even when it seems like nothing is happening and God isn’t moving.

That’s why I take great comfort in verses like this about perseverance.  Perseverance is a powerful character trait, and can bring about a breakthrough when nothing else does.  In life, I often seem to take on projects that seem to big for me, and then after awhile, I get discouraged because nothing seems to be happening.  It’s sad to start a big endeavor only to give up just before the work is rewarded.  I know about my own predisposition toward discouragement, and so I take great comfort in this Bible verse, because it encourages me toward perseverance and finishing what I’ve started.