6 Encouraging Bible Affirmations on Diligence to Finish Strong

1. The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor. (Proverbs 12:24 – NKJV)
   
   Work hard and don’t be lazy. A consistent and smart (and diligent) work ethic bears fruit in several ways.
   
   The Hebrew phrase for “will rule,” or “shall bear rule” depending upon which translation you use, describes rulership, governorship, dominion, or power. For example, in 1 Chronicles 29:12, King David gives thanks to God, saying that in His hands are “power and might.”
   
   The lazy don’t get this and probably can’t understand why. If diligence brings success, laziness begets the opposite. In fact, “[h]e who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10:4 – NKJV).
   
   Material wealth is not the end-all-be-all of diligence, since earthly riches themselves won’t deliver one from judgment. (Proverbs 11:4.) However, being lazy and not providing for oneself is a sign of “chasing fantasies,” or in the NASB translation of Proverbs 12:11, being one “who pursues worthless things[.]”
   
   You know who you are.
   
   God cares, so work harder.
   
   
2. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. (Ecclesiastes 9:10 – NKJV)
   
   Without context, this is a power verse. Give it your all. But Solomon wrote this verse regarding mankind’s (mostly useless) efforts in trying to organize the chaos of the world. Later on, though, Jesus gave the correct standard: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Col. 3:23 – NKJV).
   
   So take Solomon’s fortitude and apply it to your own life, but make sure that what you do is for the Lord.
   
   
3. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights of the world. (Philippians 2:14-2:15 – NKJV)
   
   Let your faith produce works as you labor for the Lord and do so without complaining. Laboring for the Lord requires a huge change in mindset.
   
   Works themselves do not earn you a place in Heaven, but it is faith in the redemptive works of Christ. Faith, in turn, produces works as part of the fruit that all believers yield when they labor for the Lord. Whatever fruit is borne depends on the abilities and gifts you have. Let them shine through in your work and your labors on this earth.
   
   Stand out from the crowd as a person of holiness through consistent, diligent efforts.
   
   
4. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 – NKJV).
   
   Several Bible passages mention weariness and the exhortation to remember Christ’s example to avoid it. In Hebrews, Paul reminds Christians to not grow weary by reminding us that Jesus endured the hostility of others until the very end. (Heb. 12:3.) In the Believer’s Bible commentary on Second Thessalonians 3:13, the authors nail it: “It is the end of the race that counts, not the beginning; so [Christians] should not grow weary in doing the right thing.”
   
   A big part of biblical diligence is keeping yourself intact along the journey, but also finishing strong.
   
   Keep striving so when that “due season” comes in the end, you “will reap” the blessings of the Most High.
   
   
5. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11 – CSB)
   
   The King James admonishes the believer to not be “slothful.” In case you missed it by now, being diligent means not being slothful (read: lazy).
   
   I would also argue that being diligent also means being consistent.
   
   “…in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” (Titus 2:7-8.)
   
   
6. Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15 – NKJV)
   
   Building on the previous verses, what is the end-all-be-all of diligence? Why is diligence man’s precious possession?
   
   Because it enables you to strive for Christ in a world that does not want you to succeed as a workman for the Lord.
   
   An acceptable workman before the Lord, a tireless worker who labors for Christ without complaining or disputing, attacks his duties with fervent zeal, does not grow weary with doing good, and arrives at the finish line with no shame, providing a great model for others to follow.
   
   Imagine how hard this can be in real life, especially in these times. It’s not Christ that burdens us (for His burden is light), but the world.
   
   As Christians, we must urge each other to stay the course. Do not let the lamp light go out.
   
   Do not grow weary and do not be lazy, for the slack hand does not bring reward.
   
   It’s normal to stumble through the journey, but it’s far more important to get back up…and finish strong.
   

Anyway, these are six great verses I found on diligence.