Yesterday, God used the tiniest of creatures to rebuke me and teach me a lesson on perseverance—He used ants. We've been having a relatively serious ant problem at our house, me and my family, and I don't remember a single day I've been without an ant bite. They're just all over the house.
We've tried everything we possibly can to get rid of them, but it seems that ants just keep coming back with amazing perseverance to work and gather crumbs, food and whatever they can carry. At one moment before inducing another lethal dose of bug spray, I could only stand in amazement as the Holy Spirit revealed something to me about these tiny creatures.
Proverbs 6:6 has to say this about ants: "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise" (ESV). Have you ever felt sluggish to do something before? When was the last time you looked to an ant and learned a thing or two about perseverance?
Many people today do not find it in them to persevere. I admit that at times perseverance does not seem to be a fruit that grows in me, but nonetheless, as God created ants to persevere, He created us to persevere all the more. God loves us more than ants—we can be sure of that—and in that love He calls us to love Him back and to express that love by persevering in trust and faith in His good will.
When it comes to prayer, have you ever considered yourselves to be as persevering as an ant when it comes to praying? Luke 18:1–6 tells us the parable of the persistent widow who fought for justice to be served. Verse 3 says, "And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary'" (ESV).
While we should be persistent in prayer, however, we must also consider the attitude we come with as we persevere. Unlike ants, God tells us of the dangers of our hearts. To persevere in prayer never means that we are to act like spoiled brats, demanding something that God may not want for you at this season. While we are to persevere, do so in a manner always remembering who is in charge and trusting in God's timing.
If we must persevere, persevere trusting not in our prayers but in the faithfulness of God. And persevere also in gratefulness for what God has already done. 1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 tells us, "pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (ESV).
Should we pray harder when breakthrough doesn't come? By all means, but pray with a listening ear, ready to hear from God, and with a heart in right standing, knowing that we can trust that God makes all things work together for our good.
