"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.
In part two, we learned the lesson of the rock badger. He lives among the rocks and seeks refuge in secure places. So many people try to find their security in the pleasures of this world and they soon find out that the things on which they have built their life cannot support them in their hour of greatest need. We need to learn the lesson of the rock badger to find our safety and security in the right place.
In part three, we learned the lesson of the locust. One little locust by himself will not harm you. Yet, when a massive swarm of them unite together, the results can be devastating. As Christians, we must be willing to stand alone but should seek to live in community with other believers. The life of following Christ is always a personal relationship, but it is not meant to be lived in isolation.
Today, we consider the lizard. Lizards are small creatures, yet they can occasionally be found in the corner of a palace. The lizard serves to remind us that sometimes small things can make their home in the most incredible places. As Christians, we should daily be in awe of what the Lord has made possible for us. We who deserve wrath and judgment instead are given forgiveness and salvation. We who have earned hell, instead are welcomed into heaven.
Much like a lizard found in a king's palace, we view our standing in Christ and stand amazed at how we made it. We did not make it to the Lord's family by strength or intelligence, but only by grace.
Ephesians 2:4-6 says, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” How in the world did we arrive in such an incredible place?
One day we will be home, and when we get there, we will look around and think – like a lizard in a palace – how did we possibly make it here? And the answer will be only by the grace of Jesus Christ.
So, if we learn the lesson of the ant, we too will learn the discipline of preparation.
If we learn the lesson of the rock badger, we too will seek security in the right place.
If we learn the lesson of the locusts, we will live in unity with others and move in power.
And if we learn the lesson of the lizard, we will live in amazement at the wonder of grace.
_____________________________________
If this has been an encouragement to you, you can share by clicking one of the buttons below. If you would like to request prayer for yourself or someone you love, you can do so by clicking here .