Wisdom of the Ant (Edited by ChatGPT)

  

I have seen many assemblies in turmoil over building projects, turning them into constant headaches. But is building not always a long-term plan? You plan, you save for years — even decades — and only then do you move forward. Today must be guided by a long-term vision. Yet many simply decide they want a building and cry loudly, without planning. Instead of saying, “We will have a building someday,” and preparing from the beginning, they demand it immediately.

 

When we were in high school, we knew the national exam was coming. We knew that entering university required passing it, so we prepared long in advance while still attending daily classes. We dressed for tomorrow. Preparation for the future is not optional.

 

If you want to be a businessperson, you surround yourself with businesspeople and learn their ways. You learn to walk before you run. There is a time to learn and a time to work. Everything must be done in its proper season.

 

In Proverbs 6:6–8 it is written: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” When you see your future — if God wills it — you must work for that future.

 

If you want to open a PLC, you must study PLC. If you want a position in a large corporation, you must study, prepare, enter as a junior worker, and work your way up. Work and position may come later, but preparation always comes first.

 

Winter cannot be survived if nothing is harvested in summer. If God gives you work tomorrow, what will you teach? Suppose the blind see and the cripple walk — but who are you? What is your doctrine? What is your theology? What defines your message? Can you build it then? When winter comes, it is winter — and it will not be easy. During oppression, you must prepare for freedom; otherwise, you will not know how to manage freedom. Learn from the ant.

 

The ant has no overseer, yet she prepares for winter by working in summer. Israel lived hundreds of years in Egypt, but were they ready for God? No. They worshiped idols — and we know how that ended.

 

There are two paths before God. One is waiting for God while preparing yourself for His arrival — shaping and transforming yourself into the image of God, though it is God who works through you. The other is running after idols, which eventually leads to the two calves.

 

You must be ready for God. Even if God anoints other servants, you must be able to discern and learn. How will you know the difference? If the antichrist comes tomorrow, how will you recognize him? If the work of the Holy Spirit is manifested, how will you know it is God and not the devil — without the Bible and the Spirit of God?

 

Scripture says that when light comes, those who practice truth come to the light so that their works may be seen as done in God, while others hate the light because their deeds are evil. Light reveals what is from light, and darkness exposes itself as darkness when light appears.

 

John the Baptist was a blood descendant of the high priest — the priesthood was his birthright — yet the temple was occupied by political appointees. Jewish history confirms that temple leadership was politicized and widely disrespected. The sons of corruption stood in the temple, while the rightful heir stood in the wilderness. Yet the Holy Spirit testified, Jesus testified, and the judgment of the Heavenly Father testified that John was the true heir — and that those in the temple were not planted by God. This was confirmed fully after they killed Jesus.

The Pharisees and Sadducees ran the temple, while John and Jesus saved souls. Yet both had to grow — Jesus from infancy to adulthood, John in the wilderness. They were fed with honey and milk — the Word of God and the Spirit of God — until the Holy Spirit revealed them as sent from God.

 

Should they have gone to the temple to learn hypocrisy? To wash hands according to tradition while swallowing camels and straining gnats? To seek the highest seats, demand titles, pray publicly for show, and appear holy while being inwardly greedy? Should the future unite itself with what is fading away?

 

Those who are productive must become more productive, and unfruitful branches must be removed so the tree may bear more fruit. God prunes to increase fruitfulness. The lost must return — but either way, we must gather in summer for winter. It is wisdom that those who expect the coming of Jesus first become disciples in preparation. If you expect greater manifestations of the Holy Spirit, then today grow in the knowledge of God, the Word of God, conduct, and character. Even to recognize the work of God, you must grow in the knowledge of God.

 

It is written that they speak from the world, and the world listens to them; but we speak the Word of God, and those who belong to God listen to us. Even to recognize who belongs to God, who is sent by God, and who truly comes before Christ, you must be educated by God. Again — gather in summer for winter.

 

Be wise like the ant. You do not need to be an illegitimate son of men when God Himself has adopted you through the blood of Jesus. We must take Jesus seriously. We have one Father — the Heavenly Father; one Leader — the Lord Jesus Christ; and one Teacher — the Holy Spirit. We have brothers and sisters in faith — some mature, some growing — but salvation is through Jesus alone.

Sometimes what appears to be the evil actions of brothers and sisters is God sending Joseph to Egypt so that food may be prepared for those who will later come. They sold him in hatred, yet they unknowingly served God’s plan. Joseph received dreams as a child, and what unfolded was the fulfillment of those dreams. God always has a higher plan.