There are countless insects in the world, some so small they can only be seen with a microscope. Yet in some way each one has its part in keeping nature in balance, even though it is hard to see how some can be useful when they are such a nuisance. But besides being helpful in a way we may not recognize, the opening Bible verse tells us that God allows them to help keep us humble rather than proud. Another verse informs us, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:66But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)).
One such insect called the spittlebug, or froghopper, is an example of this. Have you ever wondered what those globs of white froth are for on grass stems and plants in a field or in your own yard? The next time you see one, open the small mass of bubbles and you will find inside two tiny nymphs clinging tightly to the stem, sucking juice from it.
That mass of bubbles is not spit. It is partly digested plant sap that the nymphs mix with a material similar to that used by some other insects for spinning silk cocoons. Of course, they don’t realize the Creator gave them this unusual ability to protect themselves from the hot summer sun as well as from other insects and birds that would quickly eat them. The sticky froth stops them.
By the time the nymphs are fully grown, the bubbly foam has disappeared and the nymphs have turned into flat, hopping insects about half an inch long. These spittlebugs are brown, greenish or sometimes red and black. They are also called froghoppers because they hop from plant to plant and seldom fly. The grass and plants on which they feed while protected by the froth sometimes wither away and die. Then, as adults, the spittlebugs fly into pine trees and damage them severely, eating the needles and are thus a real pest in parts of North America.
These insects seem to be mainly a nuisance, yet God has created them for a purpose which perhaps only He can understand. But we can see how they help to keep us humble when we think of how much effort has been made to get rid of them, and still, year after year, they continue to show up.
God is never pleased with proud ways. So let us always remember His promise: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:6-76Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6‑7)).
ML-05/10/1998