God will not hear anyone’s prayer, this is why he needs us to pray to rebuild the walls of righteousness in our land. If MY people, who are called by MY name, will humble themselves and turn from evil ways, and SEEK my face, I will heal the land. 2 Chronicles 7:14. I keep thinking revival, but there cannot be revival if the saints do not turn from unpleasing ways and pray. And there can definitely be no revival without prayer. We must pray for those whose sins separate them from the father and keep their prayers from being heard. Who may stand on his holy hill? He that has clean hands and a clean heart! Psalm 24:3. That’s us saints! The bible says, if our hearts do not condemn us, we can ask for anything and it shall be done! I John 3:19. We cannot merely love in words, but in actions and deeds. I John 3, says that if we have the resources to provide a need and do not give it, the love of God is not in us. So, we have to share the material things we have with others. If the greatest expression of love is laying down your life to others, we should also lay down our lives by giving it over to God in prayer.
So I touched on prayer a little bit, but let’s talk about all the aspects of our devotion and the God’s expectation about diligence. Because I believe that the power of God is released with diligence. Let’s explore the scripture on this…
PRAYER: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “Pray Continually”. The Parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18 implores us to always pray! Hebrews 11:6, says that “God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Is this not clear?..God rewards those that diligently SEEK him!
PRAISE: Through Jesus, therefore, let us CONTINUALLY offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the “fruit of lips” that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15. How about in Luke 24:53, “And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God!” Now that was the last chapter and last verse in Luke, and we all know what happened next in Acts! The power of God rained down! Their prayers and praise led to revival! Acts 2:42-43 says, “They DEVOTED themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” You want to see some signs and wonders, get DEVOTED to praise and prayer!
READING THE WORD: Deuteronomy 6:17, ye shall DILIGENTLY keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. Joshua 1:8 says “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” But even more, we have to keep his word so that we do not sin against him (Psalm 119:11). 2 Peter 3:14 says, "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be DILIGENT that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."
THANKSGIVING: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18. “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,” Ephesians 5:20. The worst thing we can do is offer murmuring and complaining instead of thanksgiving. Murmuring and complaining is sin, and we are advised to do all things without them. Philippians 2:14.
SERVICE: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, ALWAYS abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Romans 12:11 “Not lagging behind in DILLIGENCE, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
I have to end with this…this is the most important part here, and hopefully this revelation will inspire change. I was thinking about why we are not diligent in certain areas, because I know we have the ability to be diligent. Folks are diligent with their studies and careers, and even growing their hair! So I though, what makes them diligent with those goals. And it occurred to me that it's because there is a prize or a reward! That’s what drives dilligence! We cannot be devoted if the gospel is not our prize. Paul talks about a runner who runs a race, to "a prize that will not last." He says to if you are going to run this race (like you want to win),it requires strict training. You cannot win a marathon race without DISCIPLINE! But Paul says we run the race for the "prize that will last!" The crown of life!! This too requires discipline. We can’t get it for nothing! Train up yourself to do it! If you are a sleepy prayer warrior set the alarm 10 times per prayer session,lol! But see, if we are going to have any chance at this, the gospel has to be the prize. Your eyes have to be set on the crown of life!
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give DILIGENCE to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
There are a ton more scriptures I found about DILIGENCE, but this is already too long. So I am going to end here. I wrote this because God has impressed upon me, that he requires more from us! And he wants us to be diligent. “Do your best” is not in the bible, but “Be ye perfect” is….not that you will ever reach perfection...but we press toward the mark!! If we can be diligent about silly things, like going to the gym or watching our favorite program, or our hair…why can’t we be dilligent concerning these things! We have to present ourselves as a living sacrifice upon the altar. Let’s give him the Abel-kind of offering! Let’s not assume that just anything is acceptable to him...but let’s give him the fat portion and watch and be amazed when he lights the fire to it! Leviticus 9:24. And when he lights it, let us keep it burning continuously. Leviticus 6:13.
