“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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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
