LET IT BE DONE WITH DILIGENCE

Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? (Ezra 7:23, NIV).

Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence! These are the immortal words of King Artaxerxes of Babylon to all the people of his realm, asking for their support for Ezra who was sent to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem. These words still apply today, and all who follow its direction will be greatly blessed by God.

Whatever God has asked us to do in His word, we must do it with due diligence. Meditating in His word day and night. Praying, seeking Him all our hearts. Fasting, humbling our souls sincerely before Him. Soul winning – seeking the lost right from our Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Tithing, honouring God with our tithes and our first  fruits. Giving, being generous towards God, towards His servants, towards His house, towards the poor and needy. Holiness, separating ourselves from the filth of this world that we may be holy unto our God. Whatever He has prescribed in His word, let it be done with diligence. If this is your attitude, you will be blessed beyond description.

When Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus was showing the people at the wedding at Cana of Galilee how their water can be turned to the best wine she said, “Whatever he saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5).

When Elihu was giving the prescription  to a life of happiness, joy and fulfillment he said, “if they obey and serve Him they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasure” (Job 36:11).

God, giving us the key to abundance and prosperity said, “if ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:18).

The reason why many believers are not blessed in all their ways is because they have been tardy in the things of God. When it is time to pray they go to sleep. When it is to win souls and follow up converts, they drag their feet. When it is time to pay their tithes and fulfill their vows, they do not put God first in their budget. In many ways we exhibit lack of diligence in the things of God. And we pay very dearly. Because we have not honoured God as we should, He has not bestowed on us the honour that He would. He has said in His word that those who honor Him shall He honour, and that those who despise Him shall be lightly esteemed (1Sam. 2:30). We despise Him when we are not diligent in the things he has commanded in His word.

The time has come to change! God must come first in our lives – in truth and indeed. We must approach whatever is of God with due reverence and true diligence.

Do not forget the word of Artaxerxes: Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed let it be done with diligence. It is well with you.

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: and all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God (Deut. 28:1-2).