I've had to do business of late with some insect activity. Not the literal kind that you're probably thinking of. I haven't had to buy wasp spray or anything like that, but I've had to implement insect control of another type.
I need to treat one kind of insect almost daily. The chewing insects of worry, doubt and fear, if I let them, crush and grind away at my thought life. I know if I don't conquer these pests decisively and head on with God's truth ("Let not your heart be troubled") they'll begin to prepare the way for the more damaging swarming insects. The swarming insects like to congregate around any mental trashcans I might have filled with things like anger, envy, or gossip. If I don't take this garbage out it attracts hovering dark clouds of these dirty pests which then block out the sun and light that's meant to bring me joy and freedom.
Then there are the crawling insects. They creep slowly and advance silently to extend their influence. This almost imperceptible army likes to make its way to the doorstep of my life and then gain entrance by following the well-worn trails of destructive habits that I myself have put in place, like laziness, neglect, and overindulgence, "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands," warns Proverbs 6:10-11. I must destroy these crawlers or else I get robbed of many things that are valuable and precious to me.
The consuming locusts come to strip and destroy. Pride and stubbornness can quickly complete the work begun by the chewing, swarming and crawling insects. These insects of stiff-neckedness devour and eat up any remaining vegetation and fruit of my land. "Pride goes before destruction," says Proverbs 16:18 , and before I know it, my life and field can be laid to waste.
I have to stay alert to all four types of common, yet very unwelcome insects as described in Joel 1:4 and 2:25, and Deuteronomy 28:38. But the Lord also provides a gracious remedy: He will restore to me the years that the locusts have eaten away.
Copyright © May, 2007 – Sandra Snider. All rights reserved.