Four Lessons from Creation for Times Like These

Proverbs 30:24-28 (NASB) 24 Four things are small on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: 25 The ants are not a strong folk, But they prepare their food in the summer; 26 The badgers are not mighty folk, Yet they make their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in ranks; 28 The lizard you may grasp with the hands, Yet it is in kings' palaces.

Even if you do not keep up with what is being reported by reliable news sources, your family, friends, and coworkers will assure you that we are living in unprecedented times of stress and uncertainty - economically, socially, politically. Many, with hopes for things to return to “normal” having been dashed, are now succumbing to fear, mistrust, and despair.

Although what I have to share is about our increasingly dire economic, social, and political environments, my pleas are not necessarily focused politically, but more practically as ones from scripture to encourage you to prepare for harder times if you haven’t already started.

Don’t lose heart! There is still much to do - even in our trying times! Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 Jn. 4:4).

Four Lessons from Creation

Solomon, in the estimation of many ancient secular kings, was famed as the wisest king of his time, gifted by God for his desire for wisdom above riches and power. He was not only wise in his own right, be he was also a collector of wise sayings. Chapter 30 of Proverbs were written by a prophet or oracle named Agur, who presumably lived during his times. He offered sagely advice for our times using common examples of insects and animals observable in nature that behave according to internal instincts provided by the Intelligent Designer, God.

1. Prepare by Storing Food for Your Future Needs (ant) [v.25]

Ants, by nature, store their food in fairer weather, during the spring, summer, and early fall, when the weather is fairer and warmer. The lessons for us is to not hoard food, but gather enough food to counter higher food prices, supply chain shortages, and future food scarcity while able to do so in fairer times. You may need to learn to can food, store canned foods that can be preserved without refrigeration, make and freeze bread, store dry goods, freeze dry food items, use a dehydrator, or purchase long-term storage survival foods.

2. Prepare by Making Your Home and Environment Safe (badger, hyrax, or dassie) [v.26]

Rock hyraxes, or dassies, by nature, live is rocky places where they can hide themselves from predators, and their homes are often in relatively higher elevation above ground level so they can see and react before a predator arrives or threatens. The lessons for us concern home security, i.e. protection against home invasion, robbery, or even carjacking. Self-protection include home security measures (it really isn’t safe anymore to leave things unlocked, even in the country), vigilant situational awareness measures, and learn age appropriate self-defense options. Learn to refrain from advertising or boasting to others personally or on social media what you’re doing.

3. Prepare by Supporting Each Other (locust) [v.27]

Locusts travel and feed in groups. They are vulnerable to predation when isolated. The lesson s from locusts are to learn to network with like-minded people for support and protection. There is safety in numbers. Social isolation makes you vulnerable and less protected. Make sure you communicate your activities to trusted people, and develop your own private group of trusted friends.

4. Prepare by Remaining Productive and Useful Citizens (lizard) [v.28]

Lizards may be disgusting, but they tend to get around where needed to help others out unnoticed, and in so doing, help themselves. The reason they are in high places (the king’s palace) is because they are taking care of his bugs, and are enjoying a cool indoor environment. They are very situationally aware, and know when and how to exit. The lesson for us is to help each other out - neighbors, friends, family, church family, community. Take care of the kingdom by voting and staying politically active, taking care of the kingdom’s worrisome “bugs,” so to speak. Exercise peaceful First Amendment right as long as you can, and support your Constitutional peace officers and sheriffs.

Despite social and political opposition, we are living through times that we should not ever be ashamed of the gospel for any reason because it is the power of life and light as we are surrounded by death and darkness. I highly encourage you to listen to Dr. David Jeremiah’s message (click link). Please invest the time to not just listen to his message, but hear it.

In your preparation for harder times to come, is your soul prepared also?