Learning From the Ant
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; ~Proverbs 30:25
One of the things that Solomon did that contributed to his immense wisdom was studying the animal and insect kingdoms. He made some incredible conclusions that have become favorite proverbs and helps to us. One of the insects that he was most fascinated with was the ant. To me, ants are a nuisance, and they are insects that I do not like coming into my house. However, ants prove to offer a wealth of lessons for us. This morning, we want to consider the wisdom of the ant.
There is the puny description.
"The ants are a people not strong...." When we look at their size, ants are very small and helpless when compared to people. Our inclination is to write off things that are small. We automatically think that the ant has nothing to contribute or is not worth our consideration. Do not despise the day of small things.
There is the perceptive diligence.
"Yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Ants have a built-in sense that if they want to survive the harsh winter months, they must be diligent about storing a food supply. Ants are perhaps nature’s best example of diligence. They work continuously during summer in storing up large amounts of food to sustain them during winter. This diligence is strengthened by their careful forethought for their needs. People who are diligent are always thinking ahead. They know the importance and value of planning ahead of time. No one ever plans to fail, but many people fail to plan. All planning is followed by action. Ants epitomize this in their diligence.
There is the practical discipline.
Even though ants have no guide or overseer, they function well as a colony and in bands. They are well-disciplined in organizing their work and product. Discipline is necessary for any kind of success. Show me a successful person, and I will show you a man of discipline. He is disciplined in his habits, his speech, his diet, his people skills, and his response when things don’t go as planned. People who are disciplined do not quit easily. They are well-organized and seldom touch the same task more than once.
There is the prudent discernment.
Solomon describes them as "exceeding wise." What a compliment! In this description, Solomon emphasizes the ant’s prudence. The ant is not thinking just about himself; he is thinking about his entire colony! The colony’s survival and success is his discernment. The wisdom of a colony of ants points to them as being exceeding wise.
Go to the ant, and consider her ways. They teach us good work habits; they teach us how to work well in teams and with each other; they teach us how to think ahead; they teach us the importance of hard work. Yes, ants are a people exceeding wise.
Have a wisdom-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 13-14