"God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty... and things which are despised... that no flesh [person] should glory in His presence" (1 Cor. 1:27-29).
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 to other things, the above Bible verse tells us that God allows them to help keep us humble rather than proud. In another verse we are informed, "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 froghopper, or spittlebug, is an example of this. Have you ever wondered what those globs of white froth (looking like spittle) are doing on grass stems and plants in a field or in your own yard? The next time you see one, look closely and you will see inside it two tiny nymphs clinging tightly to the stem, sucking juice from it.
That ball 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 arrangement to protect themselves from the hot summer sun as well as from other insects and birds that would like to eat them. The sticky froth stops them.
By the time the nymphs are fully grown the spittle-like foam has all disappeared and the nymphs have turned into flat, leaping insects about half-an-inch long, brown, greenish, or sometimes red and black, looking something like tiny tree frogs-which is how they got their other name of froghopper. They look odd with heads that appear too big for their tiny bodies. Their legs and wings also seem extra long, but are a big help when hunting for food. The grass and plants on which they feed while protected by the froth wither away after they hatch. Then, as adults, they fly into pine trees and damage them severely, eating the needles, and are thus a real pest in parts of North America.
These insects are 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)).