Topic: Diligence
Text: Hebrews 11:6-16

There is no shortcut to success. Diligence is a necessary virtue when success and divine breakthroughs are issues at stake. When you are not diligent, it is very difficult to prosper. Proverbs 22:29 says: “Sheets thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Many of us want to prosper even though we spend eight per cent of our time watching television. God is a rewarder of those who diligently serve Him.

If you go to the Lord in prayer reminding Him that He said whatever you ask the Father in the name of Jesus Christ will be done, He will answer you in the positive and remind you there are conditions attached. He will probably refer you to John 15:16: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

God may ask you whether you have satisfied the conditions. Have you been winning souls? Are you following up the souls that were won? Are your fruits abiding? Maybe you are the one that needs to be changed completely. Genesis 32:24 describe how Jacob wrestled with an angel of the Lord. Jacob said he would not let the angel go until he had blessed him. The angel dislocated his thigh. The angel said what Jacob needed was not a blessing but a change. The angel changed his name from Jacob to Israel. Jacob wrestled because he knew that Esau was coming the following morning to fight him. He knew that all the blessings he had were stolen from Esau. The following morning, however instead of Esau cutting off Jacob’s head, he embraced him and the two of them began to weep.

Many a time when there is a recurring problem or a problem that refuses to go away, God may be telling you to change. If you are diligent in fulfilling the conditions for success or divine blessings, you will achieve whatever you are yearning for with ease. Do not think that anything is beyond the realm of achievement just because you could not get it done. Change your attitude or method and everything will fall into line.

Memory Verse: Daniel 11:32 - “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries; but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.”