There are four things which are little on the earth but they are exceedingly wise. The ants are a people not strong yet they prepare their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a feeble folk, yet they make their homes in the crags; the locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks; the spider skillfully grasps with its hands and it is in kings’ palaces. (Proverbs 30:24-28, NKJV).
In the safari in South Africa, you have the big five. These are big and humongous animals that are at the top of their rank and file. They are the most difficult to hunt down, and all over South Africa, you have their pictures in souvenirs, carvings, billboards, posters, etc. The big five are the lion, the elephant, the rhinoceros, the buffalo and the leopard, and they are a must see for visitors to the safari in South Africa. Until you see these animals, you are not considered to have visited the safari.
As human beings, we usually focus on big and mighty things. We normally equate big as great, and often times this is not usually the case with God. Those things that are greatly esteemed before men may not be so in the eyes of God, and those things lightly valued before men may be of great prize to God. God, in teaching us wisdom and His ways did not instruct us to go observe the big five, but rather the little four: the ant, the rock badger, the locust and the spider. Below are four virtues of these creatures and the vital lessons we can learn from them:
1. The Ant: “Go to the ant you sluggard, consider her ways and be wise, which having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8). In this scripture, the sluggard is asked to go to the ant and learn. The main feature of the ant is its ability to gather grain or food during summer. While others are enjoying the summer period, the little ants are relentlessly working, gathering tons of grain to store for winter. The ant is busy creating the future, while others are focused about the pleasures of the present. The main lesson God wants us to learn from the ant is PREPARATION. Life is defined as preparation for eternity. What we do today or refuse to do affect our tomorrow and eternity. Are you preparing for eternity? Are you preparing for retirement? Are you preparing for that most desired promotion? Are you preparing for marriage? Are you preparing for the unborn baby? Are you preparing for that examination? ,etc. Ruth prepared to meet Boaz; Joseph prepared to meet King Pharaoh; Apostle Paul prepared to meet Caesar in Rome; Noah prepared for the flood by building the ark, and the list goes on. People fail in life for lack of adequate preparation. Many end up in hell for lack of preparation for eternity by refusing to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (John 3:14-18).
2. The Rock Badgers: They are curious little animals that live in the cleft of rocks. Though feeble and weak, it has ability in its legs that makes it dexterous on the rocks. It’s almost impossible to hunt down the rock badger because anytime a predator tries to attack it; it quickly disappears into the clefts of the rock. The lesson we learn from the rock badger is that of POSITIONING. The Bible says the wise man builds his house on the rock which is the Word of God as against the foolish man who builds on sand and superficiality (Matthew 7:24-27). The rock badger properly positions itself inside rocks where predators cannot reach it. Jesus is the Rock of Ages; He is also the Rock of salvation for all those who believe in Him; He is also the Rock of offence. Because King David was well positioned in God, he overcame all his enemies and challenges and reigned as a king. Are you well secure like the rock badger? Are you building on the Rock of the Word of God? Are you positioning yourself for the future?
3. The Locusts: They have no king yet they advance in ranks and march in formation. A single locust all by itself is harmless and insignificant, but they are devastating, formidable and fearsome when together. They are harmonious creatures, though having no king they are organized and have a very voracious appetite. They work very well together as a team. The Bible gives a vivid description of them in Joel 2: 1-25. In ancient times they were called the armies of God due to their rampaging effect. The lesson God is trying to tell humans is the power of team work or PARTNERING and staying in agreement. If we can pull resources together as a team in agreement, we will achieve more than when we are trying to do it all alone. The Bible says two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). This is why a good marriage is desirable. The modern world talks about synergy where the sum of the parts is greater than the individual parts alone. The big question is who are you partnering with in prayers, in your academics, in ministry, in business, in your career, etc . Kindly note that the greatest partner of all time is the Holy Spirit.
4. The Spider: The Bible says it grasps skillfully with its hands and it’s in kings palaces. They spin webs which can be found anywhere including palaces. The webs (or cobweb) they produce is an evidence of the ingenuity of their hands. The spider produces its web by a thread or spider silk which is usually stored in its abdomen. The spider reaches within itself to bring out the silver silk with which it produces its web. The amazing thing about it is also the speed, skill and resilience with which it produces its web. When you bring down a cobweb, before you realize it the spider has produced another. The lesson we learn from this is that of PRODUCTIVITY. God has deposited in us all everything we need to be accomplished and productive in life. The Bible says a man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men (Proverbs 18:16). If we can reach within ourselves and prayerfully bring out the treasures God has deposited in us, and diligently and creatively work these gifts, then we will stand in the palaces of this world (Proverbs 20:5 ; 22:29).
CONCLUSION: Receive grace to begin to live out the four lessons from the little four which are Preparation, Positioning, Partnering and Productivity. Have a blessed month in Jesus name.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
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