Bulletproof wisdom

I have some ants living under my patio in the backyard that are extremely industrious and persistent. Obviously I've tried to encourage them to move. First I started by covering up their holes, I quickly stepped up my efforts by flooding the entire area with a hose... no good. Finally, when I had exhausted all conventional means at my disposal, like a pompous dictator with a itchy finger on the button of doom, I resorted to chemical warfare. There, I've said it, I'm not proud of it but there it is nonetheless.

That was one year ago and they are still there. An indefatigable, unstoppable insect force, marching inexorably on. I can almost see the laughter in their beady little eyes (frustrated growling and teeth grinding noises). Why won't they give up, move to happier climes? Why won't they break?

There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise:
The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; - Proverbs 30:24-25

This is one of my favourite passages of scripture. To me it is such a powerful image of how we should live as Christians. Whenever I see "bread" or "food" written about in the Bible, I translate that to "scripture" in my mind. We are in the summer of our spirituality, a day is coming when the Word will be scarce, possibly branded "hate literature" We would be wise to store up everything possible now.

In that day we'll have to search harder for the Word then we do today and we'll likely be persecuted for it. We would do well to be as wise as the ant today and, Lord willing, as unbreakable tomorrow.

Lamentation #3

The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want (Ps 23:1)
He has been to me like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in ambush (Lam 3:10)

Many believers assert that God intends for us to live healthy wealthy, and prosperous lives. These people will quote scriptures they believe supports this belief but tend to ignore others that don’t. Most people know the 23rd Psalm but how many know the 3rd Lamentation? Not as many I imagine and I can understand why. David in the 23rd Psalm described God as a shepherd who provided guidance, protection and fulfillment. Conversely, Jeremiah in Lamentations 3 described God as a hunter who attacked and injured him.

I know God has provided the deliverance and ultimate victory for our eternal souls through His Son Jesus Christ but our temporal bodies are dying every day. Moth and rust will decay every worldly possession that we have and if your heart is found with those treasures you’re in danger of losing your soul. It disturbs me when Christians say if you're sick or suffering that you musn't have enough faith or something. Jesus promised us that we would have trouble in this world. Recently, a Christian musician lost one of his children in a tragic accident. This affected me so keenly that I avoided listening to his music for awhile because I was uncomfortable with the feelings of sorrow and regret. Their family doesn't have that luxury and they have clung to their hope in Jesus Christ.

What is the reason for suffering? The best answer to that is found when you see the result of suffering. People who have everything they need don’t tend to go looking for God but when faced with terrible adversity they tend to either curse Him or cling to Him. Jeremiah also chose the latter.

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him!" The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. - Lamentations 3:21-25