Consider the Ant

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

God created the animals and points to them as examples for men to humbly consider. By considering these lessons, Christians can grow in their service as well as their knowledge of God’s expectations. Bible students can discover several references to animals and the specific lessons taught by them. Our passage is one such example. Proverbs admonishes the sluggard (a lazy person) to go to the ant and consider her ways (Proverbs 6:6). The ant needs no supervision, for she knows what to do and does it without instruction, supervision, or a king (Proverbs 6:7). The ant works with the future in sight so not to be lacking in times of need (Proverbs 6:8). All of this is accomplished by the ant in spite of a pure physical handicap—“the ants are a people not strong” (Proverbs 30:25).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Read Colossians 3:23 and witness what it means concerning doing things to always please the Lord. Practice putting your toys away without mom or dad making you do it or watching over you.

• (For everyone): Do you require supervision? Do you find that you put forth inconsistent effort on the job, at school, or at home unless someone is watching over you? Do you change your behaviour when around saved people versus times when you think no Christians are around? Do you dramatically change your behaviour in front of the preacher to put on a good show? If so, you need diligence.

• Is your life in a general upheaval because you always wait until the last minute to get a job done? Are you always stressed at deadlines because you have procrastinated far too long? If so, you are not working ahead and need to be more diligent.

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Ask God to give you a work ethic more like that of the ant. Ask Him to help you do the right things with or without supervision.

• Pray that God will help you work with the future in mind. Ask Him to remind you of the rewards that can be gained or lost based on the effort we put forth in this life.

SONG: Loyalty to Christ (Cassel)

Pastor Andrew Ray

Devotions on Diligence