Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Psalm 57 and Proverbs 21

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
    but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” (v.5)

What an encouraging word for those who are willing to apply themselves to the tasks, challenges and opportunities before them. The modern equivalent would be something like: “Fail to plan, and you’re planning to fail”, or, “Plan your work and then work your plan.” These idioms express the heart of v.5; namely, when faced with a challenge, no matter how insurmountable it may seem, the solution begins with applying one’s mind to determining a plan of action by which to overcome the challenge to the best of one’s ability. Phase two is putting in the hard work of actively pursuing that plan of action. In this combination of planning and diligent work lies the victory.

Of course, the opposite of this approach involves hastily responding with a half-baked idea of the easiest and quickest response to the situation. This, says the proverb, is a sure pathway to failure. The easy road is seldom (if ever) the right way, and shortcuts normally lead to pitfalls.

Lord, grant me the wisdom to apply my mind to life’s challenges today, and to do the right thing, even when it has a cost attached. Help me to trust that, in the long run, careful, deliberate planning and good old fashioned hard work (in the power of Your Spirit) will bring me Your success. Amen.