LEARNING FROM WISE LITTLE CREATURES

The rock badger

In life, we face a lot of difficulties which could easily weigh us down. Yet, the Scripture presents to us four small creatures that can encourage us and reveal the purposes of God for us. Proverbs 30:24-28 speaks of four creatures that are called little yet are exceedingly wise.

The passage spoke of their challenges and how through wisdom they overcame. Just like these little animals we too can overcome through wisdom. Let us take a look at the four creatures.

1. The Ants

“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer” - Proverbs 30:25

The ants show the wisdom of hard work and preparing well. They do not procrastinate and they anticipate a time of difficulty. Some ants store their food in summer and feed on it during winter, while others gather in summer, eat it during fall and hibernate in winter. They gather food at a time when they still can as they prepare for seasons when they can no longer forage.

This could speak to us that not only are we to prepare for times of difficulties, but also for the promises of God. If we are not prepared for them, we may not see those promises fulfilled. If we are not convinced that Jesus is coming soon, we will not be preparing for it. The same goes if we are half-hearted in our beliefs on God’s promises, we will unlikely prepare for it.

Our priorities highlight what we truly believe. How much do you put in for the kingdom of God? Where do you focus your pursuits? If you are not being diligent today, it is like putting off the purposes of God for another time. May we learn from the small ants who are diligent and may we seriously consider preparing well now.

2. The Rock Badgers

“The rock badgers are a feeble folk, yet they make their homes in the crags” - Proverbs 30:26

The rock badgers are small mammals and since they are small in size, they are prey animals. What they do not have in strength, they compensate for in wisdom, and thus they make their dwellings in the rocks for protection.

The key to their survival is how strong their dwelling place is. Matthew 7:24 tells us that a wise man builds his house on the rock; rain may fall, flood may come and winds may blow but it will not fall. As Christians, we have to make God our dwelling place and depend on Him for our protection.

Another lesson we can learn is humility. How well do we recognize or accept that we are feeble and that apart from God we are not strong? It is easy to say that we are not strong and we need God, but do our actions show it?

How many times do we depend on ourselves and think that we can make it on our own? 

The rock badgers show us that we have to be dependent on God when it comes to taking actions and not just in making decisions.

One of the signs that a person is circumcised in the heart is that there is no confidence in the flesh. We stand by the grace of God every single day. Our lives, careers, marriages only stand because of the grace of God. May we be like rock badgers; those that recognize their own feebleness.

3. The Locusts

“The locusts have no king, yet they all advance in ranks” - Proverbs 30:27

There are two phases in the locust’s life. First is called the “solitary” phase when the locust is alone and it avoids other insects and so, it is hardly any threat. But when locusts increase in number, they change from being solitary to being “gregarious.”

And when they become gregarious, the locusts become dangerous pests that can devastate lands. Locusts do not even need somebody to command them to come together as it instinctive for them to form a swarm and together take on fields.

When a Christian is alone, that person can hardly make an impact and be a threat to the enemy. But when Christians come together and move in proper order, then we become a threat to the gates of hell. Christians should learn to walk in unity and do what 1 Corinthians 14:40 says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Humility brings forth cooperation and cooperation brings forth order. The picture of a mighty army of God is an army that does not break ranks (Joel 2:7-8, 11). For us to work effectively, we have to keep our posts. Advancing in the kingdom of God requires willingness to give up reputation and personal aspirations so we can be part of a greater body distinguished by the Lord.

4. The Spider

“The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, and it is in kings’ palaces” - Proverbs 30:28

Spiders are not exactly the most loved of creatures yet no one can deny that these creatures are brilliant artists that make the most intricate webs.

Each of us has a special gift from God to be used for the advancement of God’s kingdom. In building the kingdom of God, we need the skills and the anointing of God.

We need to have a pure, sincere heart that desires to excel in the gifts that the Lord has given us. All of us have a call and it is accompanied by skills which need to be developed as it takes practice to be fully capable and ready.

God has promised in Proverbs 22:29 that those who will excel will stand before kings and not unknown men. Our skills can take us to heights and opportunities that we do not know of, but we have to be faithful in honing those gifts.

We may be little people, but with wisdom and skill, we will be able to fulfill the work of the Lord. Our weaknesses should not become excuses not to advance the purposes of God. Our limitations should not dampen our spirits from fulfilling the call of the Lord in our lives.

Instead, let us diligently prepare for the purposes of the Lord. Let us be a people who humbly recognize that we are feeble and we need to make our abode in God, the Rock of our protection.

Let us work together in unity and learn to love one another as we are called to be one body. 

Let us hone the skills and gifts God has given us and desire to be excellent for the Lord. Let us learn from the wisdom of the little creatures.