JANUARY 8, Malachi 1:6-8

As a Christian, you must live a life that pleases God. We are to give our best to God in every area of our lives. As a Christian student, you must live a life that pleases God by studying hard. What does studying hard mean? Does it mean you have to do well in class? Does it mean you skip church activities when examinations approach? Does it mean you study every day, including every Sunday? The answer to all these questions is a “No”! Some of us can do well in class; some of us may not. For Christians, it is not about doing well, but trying your best. You MUST try your best, and study hard, for that is your duty as a student, although that is easier said than done. Many students do not try their best, and because of that, their parents want them to study on Sundays too. You must really put in effort on weekdays to study and complete all assignments, only then should you play your games or watch your favourite television programmes. Before you study, pray that God will help you to better understand and remember what you learn and revise.

Although we are to give our best to the Lord in our studies, we should not skip church or Junior Worship activities because of examinations. Neither should we study nor have tuition on Sundays. However, we do not want to have a fixed and fast rule on this. If you were sick the whole week, and there is a test or examination on Monday, it would be alright to study that Sunday, but that is not your usual practice. You would normally have already studied hard through the week, and therefore you should devote Sunday to the Lord, and not study that day. Why? Because God commands that the Sabbath (our Sunday) is to be kept holy, to be reserved for Him and to do activities related to glorifying Him.

Thought: Do I give my best to God in studies?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know sometimes I have been lazy and because of that, my parents have been unhappy with me. Teach me that it is my duty as a student to study hard, and teach me to commit this area of my life to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.