Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 2
Lessons from the Ant - Part 2 Proverbs 6:6-8, Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. The ant's entire life, which can range up to seven years, is spent working. The ant is the most industrious of all social insects. There are over 11,000 different species of ants. They live in colonies numbering from a few to over 20 million. There are approximately 1 quadrillion ants in the world (10,000,000,000,000,000). Ants are so numerous that scientists say that if all the ants in the Amazon rain forests were weighed, they would weigh four times more than all the other specials of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, living in that area, combined! Solomon tells the lazy man to learn an important lesson from the ant in preparation. Preparation involves educating yourself, either by inquiring, getting counsel, or going to school. If you have a teachable spirit, you can learn something and better prepare yourself. It’s the ones that think they know it all who continually have problems. One does not have to have a degree to be wise. Some of the wisest people I know are those who are honest and hard workers and complete their tasks. Being fixed on a goal or purpose helps us to be steadfast and not to quit in the preparation process. The importance of being ready or prepared is a motivation to finish our preparation. When we are prepared, it gives us stability or confidence to do the task at hand. The Bible teaches the same message hundreds of years before Aesop’s fable of the Grasshopper and the Ant. Aesop describes how an ant passed by a grasshopper who was "chirping and singing to its heart's content." The grasshopper urged the ant to stop and talk. But the ant replied, "I am helping to lay up food for the winter and recommend you to do the same." The grasshopper, thinking he had "plenty of food," responded, "Why bother about winter?" But when winter came, the ant had enough food and even could help others. But the grasshopper "found itself dying of hunger." The moral to this story is to be wise and prepare for the future. The Bible urges us to learn from creatures like the ant, to look ahead. Not to waste opportunities but to plan, to save and to prepare. Are you wasting opportunities in your life? Has God given you the ability to do something for Him, but you are letting it waste away because of doubt in yourself or in God? Is there someone you need to speak to about the Lord, but you have put it off?" Ask God to help you be a better planner, prepared for the future and be faithful with the time, talent, and treasure He has given you. Don't waste your opportunities! Do what the Lord wants you to do NOW! Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom that I might be prepared for the future. Open my eyes and help me to be a better steward of the resources You have given me. In Jesus' name. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 1
Lessons from the Ant -Part 1 (Proverbs 30:24-25) Proverbs 30:24-25, There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. We can look at the ant as an example of how we are to live. Ants enjoy working and when they work, they work hard. They have some amazing habits. They will spend hours clearing their surroundings of leaves and plants. They have houses, towns, public roads, etc. Regardless of how far they are wander from their home they never seem to get lost. Ants are industrious and are used to rebuke the sluggard (Proverbs 6:6) because of their industriousness. God called the ant exceeding wise because they gather and prepare their food in the harvest. Ants are located all over the world. Although the ant has no leader or supervisor, they nonetheless, are disciplined to provide their meat in the summer and gather their food in the harvest. Ants work tirelessly and store their food in the summer, when it is available. Ants rebuke all who let disadvantages and difficulties keep them from achieving in life. Ants are small creatures, but they have the wisdom to prepare for the future and, to that degree, are wise creatures. The Bible speaks of four creatures to illustrate the practical wisdom that leads to success in life and business. Large physical stature, strength, and resources are not required for great achievements. The small and weak can be successful when they exercise great diligence, savvy, and skill. God illustrates this principle through these four amazing creatures. Tiny, industrious ants are diligent in preparing for the future. Ants have the God-given foresight to survive and to prepare for winter by laying up food during the summer. God has given them the insight to take the long look and discipline to prepare for the future. What an illustration of wisdom! They plan ahead for times when they will have less food. It would be wise for us to be the same way. We should not waste our time but work diligently at whatever task we are given. The Lord uses the animal kingdom to drive home the lessons of wisdom (Proverbs 1:17; 6:5-8). He selects some of the weakest, most insignificant and vulnerable creatures to show how they overcome their limitations and are thus lessons to us in wisdom, for they succeed where many of us fail. The secret to their strength is their unity and that the ants are a collective unit. They work together as one to accomplish what they are too small to do individually. If we wish to be successful in life, we, like the ant, must have foresight (plan ahead), be disciplined, unified (work with others), and work tirelessly to accomplish our tasks. The Word of God rebukes the slothful for sleeping at harvest when they should be working (Proverbs 20:4, 13). This proverb serves as a wakeup call against the dangers of laziness. Socially, laziness is becoming progressively more acceptable. God’s Word teaches us that laziness ultimately leads to destruction. Their preparation should be a lesson to teach us that weakness is no excuse for laziness or procrastination. Everyone should make preparation for eternity by receiving Jesus Christ as their Saviour and living a life that is pleasing to Him. Prayer: Lord, thank You for the opportunity to provide for my family. May my work ethic be just and diligent as I give myself to these responsibilities. At the end of the day, may I look back with joy and pleasure with the expectation of hearing You say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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