Proverbs- 6
As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. (Proverbs 26:14)
Ever heard of Christian sluggards? Well, they are a class of their own.
Sluggard is defined as a slothful person. "Slothful" perhaps is related to "Sloth" (anyone remember Sid the sloth from Ice Age)(my kids loved part 1........No, we are not into movies if you thought so, except the rare clean ones). Sloth is a very slow paced animal.
There are many churches where some believers just never get there on time for the service. Not it's not the travel or any other hindrance, plain laziness and tardiness of believers that often drives the minister crazy, especially if it is a small congregation.
In the book of Joshua, we read a very salient point regarding the life of Joshua.
Early in the morning Joshua ....... (
Joshua 3:1)
Joshua got up early the next morning ......... (
Joshua 6:12)
Early the next morning Joshua ....... (
Joshua 7:16)
Early the next morning Joshua ........ (
Joshua 8:10)
He had a very different lifestyle. And that's why he was so successful.
Unless a believer is working nights or is too sick, it is good if he/she is in the presence of the Lord early in the morning. Quite time can be quite a time if we have quiet around us. Just us (you) and the Lord.
It is said of Jesus in the Word,
....for zeal for your house consumes me (
Psalm 69:9)
How about you brother, how about you sister. How's your zeal for the Lord and for his house?
I have asked my congregation in the past when I have seen regular late-comers whether they would do the same if they were to catch a flight!
Would they wait for you?
Reporting time -3 hours prior to the flight.
I think if the same were put in Church manuals, many would plan to cancel their membership.
Speaking about sluggards, the writer of Proverbs puts down some interesting thoughts. Let's end with that.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! (
Proverbs 6:6)
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? (
Proverbs 6:9)
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him. (
Proverbs 10:26)
The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (
Proverbs 13:4)
The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. (
Proverbs 15:19)
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth! (
Proverbs 19:24)
A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. (
Proverbs 20:4)
The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!" (
Proverbs 22:13)
I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. (
Proverbs 24:30, 31)
The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!" (
Proverbs 26:13)
As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. (
Proverbs 26:14)
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. (
Proverbs 26:15)
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. (
Proverbs 26:16)