Proverbs 26:13
A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
And so he stays home instead of going to work. And so the excuses never end.
“The weather looks bad; I might catch cold.”
“I’m not feeling well; I should save my energy.”
“The traffic is too bad to go out in.”
“I might miss a phone call for a better job.”
“I think there is a terrorist alert.”
And the number one remark: “I’ll start tomorrow.”
The difference between the good worker and the sluggard has nothing to do with circumstances and everything to do with attitude. The good worker will overcome obstacles to get to work; the sluggard will use any excuse for an obstacle. The good worker applies himself to whatever is the task; the sluggard is always looking for the “right fit.” The good worker makes the most of his circumstances; the sluggard is always complaining of bad luck. The good worker works his way up to better positions; the sluggard seems to always have supervisors who show favoritism to other workers. The good worker is thankful for the work he has; the sluggard is never thankful. The good worker takes pride in the work he does; the sluggard takes pride only in getting paid for little work.
In truth, the “lion in the streets” is very real for the sluggard. The “lion” is a job.
Psalm 136
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.13 to him who divided the Red Sea[a] asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.17 to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.23 He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.