Wisdom of the Spider

For the last few gems we've been blessed by looking at some of the humble little creatures found in Proverbs 30 and the wisdom God has given each of them. Now we're going to look at the last of these small, yet exceeding wise, creatures.

Have you got a vision or dream of something great you'd like to accomplish? To do some great work for God? To be a missionary in some faraway land or even right in your home country perhaps?

Many plans are laid to accomplish great things but somehow... something goes wrong... The plans are just that.. plans.. but never really get put into action.

Why do you think this might be so?

There is one vital thing that many people overlook when seeking to accomplish a great work. And this, we will see from the wisdom of the spider in Proverns 30:28.

"The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces" - Proverbs 30:28

What a huge contrast we see in this verse. The poor humble spider who's sole job is that of weaving her threads of silk, yet where is she living? ..in the royal courts of king's palaces!

Imagine that a new palace has just been built. As of yet, no spider has taken her abode in those lofty courts. Now outside, on ground level, a spider down stands surveying the high towering walls above, and considers the wonderful living quarters that must surely exist over those turrets. If you were to scale yourself down the the size of the spider, looking up at the towering walls, how hopeful would you be of getting inside the palace?

It seems like an almost impossible feat! However does the spider despair? Does it stop to try and work out some complex difficult method of catapulting itself over the walls and shortly landing right in the kinds palace? No, without taking shortcuts, the spider simply takes hold with her hands and does the work that lies nearest. Day by day she patiently toils spinning her web and inch by inch the goal comes closer.

Eventually after much toil she reaches the top of the wall and drops over into the courts below. A great task accomplished that previously, could almost have been seen as impossible!

As with this humble creatures, so it should be in our lives. If God has given us a vision, some great work to accomplish, let's take hold of this work with our hands and do the tasks that lie nearest. By perseverance and patient toil we too will be able to accomplish things that previously would have been seen as impossible.

As we prove faithful to do the smallest and humblest tasks, God can then trust us with greater responsibilities, and greater tasks.

So whatever tasks the Lord sees fit to place before us, whatever work He has called us to do let's not seek to run ahead or to take shortcuts, but like the spider, bit by bit, day by day, faithfully do the work that lies nearest, always pressing toward the end goal. We are promised divine aid and strength as we take one day at a time.

"The faithful discharge of today's duties will be the best preparation for tomorrow's trials. We will not gather together all tomorrow's liabilities and cares to add unto the burdens of today. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. God gives us strength for each day" -- Ellen White, Letter 141, Jan. 30, 1896

In summary of the last few Bible gems we've learnt about the "four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:" And in the next few verses we found out that these four things are the:

1. Ants
2. Conies
3. Locusts
4. Spider

The Ants work hard, and bring in food for the winter. From them, we learn not to be idle; we learn to prepare ourselves for the temptations, trials and tasks of the day by taking time to spend with God and receive strength and wisdom from Him.

Conies are feeble, but they make their homes among the rocks, and are always watching for danger. So we are to realize our weakness and danger and ever be on the watch lest Satan gain vantage over us. We are to make our refuge in Christ, for He is our rock and our safety.

The locusts are a dread to humanity for though they be small, in short order they destroy so much! Where lies their strength? In unity! So with us, if we are united, laying aside selfish interest and working together, how much may we accomplish for Christ!

The spider might be small, but by taking hold of the work that was nearest, it found its self in "kings palaces". If we take up and accomplish the work that is nearest to us; if we are faithful to do the little and humblest tasks; it is then that God can trust us with greater responsibilities, and greater tasks.

So dear reader, let's learn from these four "little" things that are "exceeding wise". Apply each principle to your life, pray to God for the needed strength and you will be mightily blessed.

- by Emmanuel Higgins