Consider the Ant

Psalm 30:5 (NLT)  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

How fascinating to watch ants carrying large objects such as tiny bits of twigs or leaves. We generally know ants can carry many times their own body weight, but some estimates reach as much as 10, 50, or even 100 times their weight depending on the species of ant. I admit that I have never actually weighed an ant, but I remain amazed at the difference between the ant itself and the weight of the object being carried—the contrast is almost too vast to comprehend.

As I read today’s scripture verse, I realize this same vastness in contrast can be applied to God’s anger and God’s love; and once again I am amazed. God’s wrath is powerful enough to destroy evil of any kind. Yet it is quick, instantaneous, and “lasts only a moment.” In contrast, God’s love “lasts a lifetime.”

To be clear, God cannot and will not tolerate sin in our lives. For the Christian, if our ultimate goal is to live in a manner pleasing to God, then the very definition of sin would include anything that leads us away from the goal of living within God’s will and way. I may not have many major or obvious sins in my life; but even a negative attitude, unkind thoughts, or angry words will lead me away from my ultimate goal of pleasing God; and therefore, these are examples of sin in my life. God will not tolerate my negativity, callousness, or anger; His wrath is certain, and judgement is sure. How humbling that God also provides the means of forgiveness through the sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus Christ. Because I can receive forgiveness, I am able to once again live a life within God’s favor—and God’s favor “lasts a lifetime.”

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

As I begin to identify those areas of my life that would lead me away from pleasing you; I pray with the Psalmist, Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD. (30:10, NLT) with a humble heart full of gratitude, I thank you for your everlasting love.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Consider the Ant was originally written for Thursday, February 28, 2019; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com 

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.