[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Lessons from the ants

By Oke Chinye

Read: Proverbs 6:6-11

Meditation verse:

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).

One morning, my husband called my attention to an unbelievable sight in our balcony: ants had built a huge sand colony by one of the air conditioner units. We watched the ants in amazement. In lines, they went into a hole, came out with a tiny bit of sand, dropped it outside, turned and headed right back in.

We wandered how long it had taken them to build this huge colony, as each sand brought out was so tiny. The consistency, perseverance, and diligence they applied to their task was beautiful to watch. Whilst I was very familiar with today’s scripture about the diligence of the ants, I had never witnessed it at work.

I left the balcony that day with several lessons. Firstly, no matter how difficult a task is, it will never get done unless you begin. The reason a lot of us never accomplish our life goals is that we never ever begin. To go anywhere, you must launch out from somewhere or you will get nowhere. Secondly, consistency and perseverance are critical success factors in any endeavour. The ants could only carry very tiny bits of sand per trip, but by being consistent in their efforts, they built a large sand colony.

The last lesson I took away was that a small start does not imply a small finish, so it is unwise to despise the day of small beginning (Zechariah 4:10). “Though your beginning was small, yet your later end would increase abundantly” (Job 8:7-9). Indeed, great lessons, we humans have been taught by these awesome tiny creatures.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

or call +2348155525555

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.