Out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

 Good morning. Continuing about those who have fallen away: he talks about vegetation receiving rain. Those that bring forth useful things, receive a blessing from God; those that have thorns, are worthless, close to being cursed, and are burned. But we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation. God won't forget your work in ministering to the Saints. Show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end. In other words don't give up doing the good deeds you have been doing, just because you become tired or discouraged. That you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Just like it's all too easy to become sluggish in your everyday life like doing household chores etc.; it is all too easy to become sluggish in doing good deeds for the kingdom of God. Notice that it is not only through faith, but also patience that you need to inherit the promises. As Winston Churchill said in an address to a graduating class at a university, "Never. Never. Never give up". That was his entire speech. (I bet they were happy!). God promised Abraham that He would bless and multiply him. And having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. From our point of view, he was not patient – remember Hagar. But from God's point of view, he was. After all, he had only one son of the promise – Isaac; he only saw two sons from Isaac – Jacob and Esau. That is not an auspicious beginning to "I will greatly multiply you". And yet he still believed right up to the end. He believed so much that he was willing to sacrifice his only son of the promise – Isaac. Could we do that? Would we be willing to sacrifice what seems to be the only way for God to fulfill His promise to us? Father thank You that the reader waits patiently for the fulfillment of Your promises. He/she stands firm until the end.