"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." Proverbs 30:24-28
Writing some 2,600 years ago, a man named Agar points our minds to four small creatures to make four big points. His thought is that these creatures -- while small and seemingly insignificant -- serve to direct us to the road of wisdom. We will consider the ant, rock badger, locust, and lizard.
In part one, we learned the lesson of the ant. If the ant waits until winter to look for food, it will starve to death. Similarly, if you wait until the temptation comes to know God's Word, you will be in trouble. Instead, learn the lesson of the ant and enjoy today by preparing for tomorrow. Learn about God now. Establish your faith in God and His Word today. Put simply, prepare yourself today for what you may need tomorrow.
Today we will consider the rock badger. This little guy is known to live among the rocks. He is small and without any real power. Were the rock badger to venture into the fields, he would quickly become another animal's lunch. So how does he survive?
He stays among the rocks -- He seeks refuge in the safe places. We would do well to do the same. Proverbs 30:5 says, "Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." We too should live our lives sheltered under the Rock.
The great hymn written by Augustus Toplady in 1776 says:
Rock of ages cleft for me; let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood from Thy wounded side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure; saved from wrath and make me pure
The rock badger teaches us the lesson of finding our security in the right place. So, where are you looking today for your security? Are you trying to find your meaning in the opinions of other people? Do you try to find value in the recognition and rewards of this life? Or, are you finding your security in Christ the Rock? Are you resting in His power and grace and trusting in His promises?
The world can indeed be a dangerous place (just ask the rock badger!). Yet, it is also true that there is a place of safety to be found by clinging to the Word of God. There is a place of security for the one who seeks the refuge found only in the grace of God. Or, as the hymn writer penned, "There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God. A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God. O Jesus blessed Redeemer, sent from the heart of God. Hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God.
So, if we learn the lesson of the ant, we too will learn the discipline of preparation.
And if we learn the lesson of the rock badger, we too will seek safety in the right place.
*check back in the days to come for parts 3 and 4
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