Diligence: The Key to Prospering

Every person I know who is successful—morally, spiritually, physically, financially, socially, or intellectually—is diligent. I can think of no exceptions. Without diligence, life falls apart. Consider a person who is morally inconsistent, who follows the rules or ethical mores only when it is convenient. That person’s reputation and standing will eventually fail because of a breach of integrity. ​

A spiritual person cannot maintain a consistent love for God and grow relationally through a slapdash prayer life and time in Scripture. Neglecting time with God is a recipe for discouragement. We all know that a person cannot stay healthy if they are undisciplined with their eating habits and shirk working out. One who is capricious with money and possessions and careless with funds is sure to understand what it means to be in debt. 
            
People who ignore their friends or socialize only when they want something do not prosper socially. Those who decide learning is no longer necessary after a high school diploma, and who disdain reading or exercising their minds, will suffer when it comes to amassing wisdom.  
 
Meditation
2 Chronicles 31:20,21--Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.
 
Hezekiah was one of Judah’s stellar spiritual kings. It should not surprise us that the author of 2 Chronicles used the adjective diligent to describe him. It would stand to reason that Hezekiah learned what not to do from his immoral, wicked father Ahaz. 
Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king and reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the Lord’s sight like his ancestor David, for he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and made cast images of the Baals. He burned incense in the Valley of Hinnom and burned his children in the fire, imitating the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites. He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. (28:1-4)
Was Hezekiah burned in the fire? Certainly, he must have been scarred by the practices of a father who refused to submit to God. Because he chose to do what was right in God’s sight with diligence, he prospered. 
            
If we hope to do well in life, we must be conscientious in building and protecting our relationship with God. I believe spiritual diligence is the key to success in every other area of our lives because it sets us up to be led by the Holy Spirit, who will always guide us in what is good, right, and proper.  Something to think about . . . in reveration.
 
Inspiration
“Ordinary people who faithfully, diligently, and consistently do simple things that are right before God will bring forth extraordinary results.”—David A. Bednar
 
©2026 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10—"The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.”  (Holman CSB)