The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 30 that there are four things that are little upon the earth, but they are exceedingly wise. The first is the ANT. Solomon says they are not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer (v 25).
ANTS know that they don't have long to work before the chill of Winter sets in. So, they gather all they can to feed their colony, while they have strength and opportunity. ANTS do not wait for an invitation to your picnic. They show up unannounced and are happy to carry away anything within their reach.
ANTS are relentless. ANTS are persistent. ANTS use every muscle they can muster to carry their fair share of the load. In the ANT'S world...you've gotta be TOUGH to survive!
How TOUGH are you?
Where did we ever get the idea that everybody would appreciate us? Certainly not from Jesus! He said His blessings were reserved for the "persecuted and the reviled" (Matthew 5:10-11). If you are "thin skinned" you'll have a rough time, because that makes you an easy target for the enemy.
Endurance is the secret; not popularity!
- Paul endured desertion by his friend.
- Ugly letters from the Corinthians.
- Disappointment with the Galatians.
- Mistreatment in Philippi.
- Mocking in Athens.
- Imprisonment and beheading in Rome.
What do we really have to complain about? Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
1. Watch ye! - "Be on the alert!" - Why? Because you have an adversary who is out to get you. What's he after? The DEPOSIT of God that's within you. You are a SEED, capable of producing a harvest for God in the earth!
2. Stand fast in the faith! - "Be firm!" - Why? Because you can't stand on your feelings, your circumstances, or the opinions of others. Those things change constantly. You can only stand on the Word of God.
3. Quit you like men! - "Act like men!" - Why? Because being childish won't cut it when the battle rages. It's time to grow up! Learn from your mistakes and keep going!
4. Be strong! - "Toughen up!" - Why? Because weakness is an invitation to your enemy. Furthermore, it always precedes surrender, and quitting is not an option for you. God told His people that the Promised Land was theirs, but they had to fight for it. God's saying the same thing to you today!
You don't have to stand in your own strength!
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
