He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
—Proverbs 14:2
“Who [with reason] despises the day of small things?” (Zech. 4:10)
Has the Lord led you to start something that seems to be making slow progress? Perhaps you are considering shutting it down because growth is slow. This is the word of the Lord to you: “Your hands have laid the foundation of the work; your hands will also finish it. The eyes of the Lord are watching to bring you to the expected end. The work will not be accomplished by your might or your power but by His Spirit. So be encouraged. Do not give up,” says the Spirit of the Lord.
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
—Acts 17:32–34
I traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.
—Proverbs 8:20–21 NKJV
Life is short, live it wisely. If you have children, invest in giving them a good spiritual, mental, and financial foundation. Equip them to live purposeful and fruitful lives with or without you. Use your God-given talents and abilities to build God’s kingdom and to promote His agenda. Invest significant effort and time in preparing your own soul for eternity. We all hope for long lives but, truly, none of us knows the exact amount of time we have here on earth. Therefore, let’s live each day in readiness to give a good account if we unexpectedly find ourselves standing before our Creator.
The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. . . . So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom..
—Psalm 90:10, 12 NKJV
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NKJV).
I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent (Revelation 2:2-5 NKJV).
—Psalm 37: 7b-11 NKJV
