Text: Proverbs 24:30-34
Memory verse:
“The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway” (Proverbs 15:19)

Have you ever wondered why there is always an upsurge of students’ admission at the clinic of most tertiary institutions during examination period? It’s simple. Most of these students neglected studying for the larger part of the semester and want to make up for those wasted months within a week! What a lazy and foolish attitude!
I learn many things working with children. After each prize and award day, you see many children going home with sad faces, red eyes and some crying loudly. Everyone wants to be the prize winner but not everyone wants to pay the price. If you ask from any group of little children, who will be the best next time, you will see everyone raising up their hands and saying, “It’s me, It’s me”. For most, it ends there. That’s actually the way of a lazy person. He has lofty dreams, to be this or that, but does nothing remarkable to achieve the dream. The lazy dreams of being a great saxophonist or a first class graduate but no effort. Lazy people are dreamers and not doers? “A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.” ‭‭(Prov‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬ NLT‬‬).
Lazy students are excuse makers. “Examination timetable isn’t out yet or examination is still far off. It’s public holiday. Everyone complains about the teacher” are common excuses of lazy students (Prov‬ ‭22‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬). They see difficulties everywhere and in everything (Prov 15:19).
Lazy people can’t get started in the morning. They love sleep so much that they always find it difficult to get out of the blanket. Even the phone alarm isn’t strong enough to interrupt their deep sleep (Prov 24:33). Thus, they are always late for morning appointments, first lecture, morning service or workers’ meeting. “Laziness casts one into a deep sleep…” ‭‭(Prov‬ ‭19‬:‭15‬).
Friends, embrace hard work. It may cost you some pain now but it pays off at the end. Laziness may pay now but it will give pain at the end.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, help me to endure the pain of hard work now so I can enjoy the pay it will deliver tomorrow in Jesus name.
2. Father, I receive grace to be wise and disciplined with sleep in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. I endure the pain of hard work today to enjoy its pay tomorrow.
2. I am not a lazy person for lazy people are full of dreams but no ‘doing’ but I am a dreamer and a doer.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng