There are thousands of kinds of ants throughout the world. Some are so small they can hardly be seen, and others are one-half inch long or longer. There is something interesting about each kind and the way the Lord God, their Creator, takes care of them.
Janitor ants have very clean habits and make strong, comfortable nests. Some ants in their colonies are larger and stronger than others and act as guards. They keep intruders from entering the nest. They are ready to die, if necessary, to protect the colony.
These guards do not go out on the warpath like army ants, but are soldiers ready to serve in a very unusual way. When making a nest, the entrances are carved by the busy little workers into just the shape and size of a guard ant’s head. Once the nest is occupied, the guard takes up his position as a moveable door for this entrance. He stands with the front part of his head plugging the hole, and the rest of his head and body in the nest. His eyes are exposed so he can see everything that approaches. Actually, his head looks so much like the nest that it would be difficult for an enemy to find any of the entrances. Even if it did and tried to enter, it would have a fierce guard to fight off.
Of course, the colony ants have to work outside during the daytime. When they return they give the guard the “secret password” by brushing antennae together. The guard backs away and lets them in and then immediately returns to his post.
There is more than one species of ant that uses this same method of protection. In the nests of some others, the guard does not back out of the entrance to let friends in. Instead, he crouches down and lets them crawl over the top of his head. Sometimes when an ant is too big to come in that way, the guard comes out of the nest headfirst, lets the ant through, then backs up into its position again.
Our beginning Bible verse tells us of King David’s complete trust in the Lord as his shield against his enemies. How wise it is to follow the advice of the Bible when it instructs: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:55Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)).
The janitor ants seem quite safe and secure with faithful guards protecting them. However, there are times when they cannot keep the colony from danger in spite of their best efforts. But for every boy and girl there is sure safety in God’s promise: “Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:2525The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)). The Lord Jesus confirmed this in His own words to those who love Him: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)). Are you trusting in Him for all things?
JUNE 9, 1996
ML-06/09/1996