NOW I want to try and teach you some lessons from the ants. They are tiny creatures, but I think you will all agree with me that they are very interesting. They are only spoken of in one book in the Bible, in Proverbs, chapters 6 and 30. In chapter 30:25 we are told, “The ants are a people not strong,” and verse 24 tells us that “they are exceeding wise.” This is what God tells us about them, and He gave them all their wisdom. In chapter 6:6, God tells us to “consider her ways and be wise.” Now most of you do not like considering very much, but go now and find an ant’s nest in your garden. Watch the little creatures for a time, and you will see how busy they are. Each one seems to have some little task before him. Sometimes you will see one trying to carry something almost as big as himself; he tumbles down with it, but is soon up, trying again and again, until his task is done. Sometimes their nest gets partly destroyed, and then all set to work so briskly to put it right again.
Here, then is the first lesson the ant teaches us—diligence. It teaches you all to be diligent in everything, in your little duties at home, in your lessons, and above all and first of all, to be diligent in seeking the Lord. In chapter 8:17, we read, “Those that seek Me early shall find Me.” While you are young is the time to seek the Lord Jesus. As you grow older your hearts will get filled with other things. “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
In chapter 6:8 we learn something more about the ants, which teaches us another lesson. They provide their food in summer. They know the long winter is coming, with the frost and snow, so they are wise and gather up a store while they can. Now think for a moment what this teaches you. You all know the sweet story of God’s love and the invitation to come to Jesus, but it will not always sound in your ears. The day will come when, instead of the summer-time of the gospel story, there will be the winter of God’s judgment. Prov. 1:2828Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: (Proverbs 1:28) tells us, “Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me.”
How important then to learn these two lessons from the ants—to be diligent and to be diligent at the right time. There is a verse which puts the two together for us, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.” Isa. 55:66Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (Isaiah 55:6).
ML 12/01/1918