In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 11:1)
As a young girl growing up, I often heard the adults in my life say the phrase, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. At the time, I did not understand the full meaning of that phrase, but as I got older it made a whole lot more sense. I noticed how destructive idle time can be. The devil likes to slip into the idle and empty spaces of our lives. He loves to wreak havoc when he finds an opening, however tiny it might be.
When the Israelite army went off to war against the ammonites in the spring, David remained in Jerusalem. It just happened that there was not much to do in Jerusalem, so one evening, a little listless perhaps, he found himself walking around the rooftop of the palace…and the rest as some would say, is history. Boredom, and the lack of hard work led David straight into the devil’s workshop.
God taught us the value of work at creation. Right out of the gate, he created the world in six days, and then rested on the seventh. When Jesus was introduced, it was as the son of a hardworking working carpenter. When he called the disciples to come and follow him, he called them from work. They had been fishing. It is God’s desire that while it is day, we must do the works of him who has called us, because night is coming, when no one can work.
As we begin this new week, let us dedicate ourselves to working hard for God’s glory. And even though we often complain about hard work, it really is a gift from God. Hard work gives us goals to pursue, and it gives our lives purpose. It keeps us out of the devil’s workshop. Without such focus, we will find ourselves bored like David, and more vulnerable to grumbling, gossiping, criticizing, and tearing others down.
This week, let us thank God for the daily gift of hard work which helps to keep us from sinning.