Proverbs 30:24-28

Four things on earth are small,
but they are exceedingly wise:
the ants are a people not strong,
yet they provide their food in the summer;  
the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs;  
the locusts have no king,
yet all of them march in rank;  
the lizard you can take in your hands,
yet it is in kings’ palaces. 

Ants are not strong. They are tiny, often overlooked, and even stepped on. Rock badgers are weak and cannot defend themselves. Locusts are a fierce, cooperative, unified group. These are all small, but strong in their numbers. Lizards are small, too, and seemingly insignificant. Yet, these are listed here because of their strengths. Ants work together and plan well. They anticipate the future. Badgers depend on holes in the rocks for their protection. And when frightened, they become a chorus in song. Locusts know that competing or fighting for position will cause disunity. And, lizards are always growing—shedding their skin.

There are some in the church who are weaker than most, and feel small, overlooked, perhaps invisible, and insignificant. Yet God in his wisdom gifts each one perfectly as part of the body. Some are differently-abled, yet no one is lacking, useless, or worth “stepping on” like ants. As the creatures, above, they have been given wisdom. Like fearful badgers, singing hymns and spiritual songs and hiding themselves in the cleft of the Rock. Like the ant, working hard in all they do for the glory of God. Like the locust, working and joined together as a body in perfect harmony. And, like the lizard, wisdom to put off the old and put on the new.

As we put off and put on, as we anticipate the future, and as we work as unto the Lord, let us humble ourselves under our King’s mighty hand, and give him all the praise.

© 2024 Tenth Presbyterian Church.

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Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By David Apple. © 2024 Tenth Presbyterian Church. Website: tenth.org