Proverbs 4.24-28
“Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.”
So far in this chapter we have seen four generations that are rebellious (11-14); four things that are never satisfied (15-16); four things that are amazing and mysterious (18-19); four things that are unbearable (21-23). Now we see four things that are small but wise (24-28).
The first are ants, who are wise because of their work ethic and preparation. Very small in stature, and weak in comparison to larger animals, ants are diligent and industrious. It is worth noting that ants are quite strong relative to their size. In their realm, they are strong.
The book of Proverbs communicated this same principle back in chapter 27. The principle is plan your work, work your plan, and it is worth revisiting that message.
“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.” (Proverbs 27.23-24)
It is a timeless truth that we have repeated throughout our study of Proverbs: God has created a world of cause-and-effect, and it is our responsibility to do the work necessary to be fruitful and productive. If we plan our work and then do the necessary work, we will bear fruit. If we don’t plan and prepareand if we don’t do the necessary work — we will not bear fruit.
“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.” (Proverbs 24.27)
It is a timeless truth. It is fundamental to the way God has designed the world he created: Plan and get your resources together first, then execute. If you don’t plan and prepare, if you don’t think ahead and consider the resources required, if you don’t understand the work that is required, you will not be in a position to build anything of lasting value.
Disciplined work is God’s plan for accomplishing things. We must resist the culture’s mindset of buy now, pay later. Incurring debt to buy what you don’t need and can’t afford is a path to disaster. Necessities should come before comforts. Production should come before spending. Prepare before building, and then do the work.
Planning, process, and perseverance are essential for achieving any goal, personal or professional. Success is the result of working the process that is necessary for the time that is required, and solving problems along the way. It is simply the nature of the world in which we live and work. It is God’s design.
You can’t cheat the necessary process, nor can you cheat the time that is required. In some situations it is possible to use strategies to streamline the process or techniques to accelerate the time, but the principle still applies. There is always a process that is necessary and a time that is required.
In any area of your life where you want to achieve something, it is your responsibility to understand the process and time required and then do the work. For as long as it takes. Without complaining. That is the principle, and it applies to virtually everything of importance in life and at work:
- Building a marriage
- Raising children
- Leading a business
- Managing a project
- Navigating change
- Getting in shape
- Mastering a skill
Trust God and do the work!
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Proverbs 6:6–8)
