“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (Proverbs 6:6).
In spite of its being one of the smallest creatures there is, the ant is one of the most industrious. Ant colonies are all over the world boasting spectacular anthills. Though a queen ant may live for decades the average worker and soldier ants only lasts for months at most. However, there life span is an amazing time of productivity with every hour lived with a certain focus.
For this reason, scripture has advised us to go to the ant and observe it. “It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (verse 7-8). This implies self motivation and planning to survive through scarcity. “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man” (verse 9- 11). This implies a work ethic and answers the great question of our time, why there is so much poverty around us?
There are many theories one would find advanced why some nations are poor as others are rich. There could be many smart reasons given but none would deny that wherever we find prosperous communities hard work is part of such societies. For example, much of the land in Netherlands has been reclaimed from the sea. It takes a lot of work to achieve such a bold feat.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, “Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:20). Prosperity does not come by chasing fantasies. Rather we must be diligent as the ant. For just as it is written of the noble wife, “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31: 27).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of creation, as I thank you for the gift of life, today I pray that I may use every single moment to glorify and worship you through work and experience your prosperity from the fruits of my labor, this I pay in Jesus’s name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
