Day 26
Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men. Prov 22:29
I watch and see people obsessed with being recognized and getting the attention of those that have money or power, kings, as our scripture of today calls them. I’ll cut this post short to tell you that the most assured way to get the attention of kings is to have something of value yourself. No one who’s wealthy, powerful or wise parts with what they have just because someone’s begged them and even if they do, it won’t be sustainable for you and you won’t have their respect.
Focus on being a person of value, honing your skills and knowledge so that you have something to exchange for wealth or power. The only way to do that is to be diligent (characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort).
Steady (regular, even, and continuous in development, frequency, or intensity)
Earnest (sincere and serious in intention)
Energetic (showing or involving great activity or vitality)
Effort (a vigorous or determined attempt)
None of the definitions above show laziness, lack of intention or apathy.
Let excellence be your watchword. Watch everything you do and let the standard be excellence. Don’t cut corners or take shortcuts, even in the little things. Remember that you are a son of God who represents the Most High.
Joseph is a fantastic example of this in many ways (Gen 39-41). We see him rising to become the second most powerful man in all of Egypt, a country that despised the Israelites. Even when Potiphar was angry at the false accusations against Joseph and threw him in prison, he still put him in charge of the prisons. Maybe at the back of your mind you’re thinking, well he was able to get that far because of God. Of course but he was also a diligent and honest man; if not he would have fallen for Potiphar’s wife’s trap. Gen 39:10 says she spoke to Joseph day after day after day but he would not listen to her because he feared God.
No matter how much you pray or study the Bible, if you are not actually putting in the work and practicing what you study, you will keep finding yourself before obscure men. If you don’t increase your capacity and do consistent and diligent work, you will be an obscure woman or man yourself.
Commit to do excellently in everything you do and do it as a sacrifice as unto the Lord. Do it and do it well, your work will speak for you.