the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8.
This is an admonition to diligence and activity in temporal things. The admonition is undoubtedly very necessary and commendable, because these insects by their industry put all men to shame. If we may learn from them in this temporal respect, why then not much more in regard to spiritual things? Look at the bees, for instance; their whole mode of life is the picture of a true believer. They draw the juice from which they produce honey and wax, pleasant and useful things, and from which they also make their dwellings, out of the flowers of the field. They enter the cups of the flowers as far as possible, and draw out as much as they are able to carry. To the Christian the Word of God is the most delightful, the sweetest and richest flower-garden. In this garden he alights now on this flower, now on that. He enters as far as possible into the cup of the suffering and cross of Christ. He draws juice and strength therefrom and in his own heart by prayer and diligence he prepares it to his own edification and salvation as well as to the edification and salvation of others. Christ’s words and deeds are not only kind, sweet and delightful, but also beneficial, salutary and rich in blessing. He creates joy and usefulness round about him. He who by meditation upon God’s Word and by sojourning under the cross of Christ is filled by as much blessing and power as the bee that returns well loaded from the flowers, becomes a blessing to the land in which he dwells, a light to those who surround him. The affection of the bees for their queen is no less delightful to the heart of the Christian, who is unable to live without Christ, who follows Him everywhere and tarries where He tarries. But that which above all things deserves emulation is the secret activity of the bees, during which they will allow no one to see them with their queen. They are untiring in their work. They take great care to cover it, building into all windows and openings through which one might observe them. Thus the Christian does not let his left hand know what his right hand doeth. It is enough for him that He who sees in secret knows. He does not place his deeds on exhibition; he does not do good to be seen of men. Furthermore, the bee does not spin out of her own self as the spider, but she seeks what God has given. Thus the Christian seeks nothing in himself; he seeks only where the right juice is to be found: in the Word of Christ and in the fellowship of His sufferings.
See, to Thee I yield my heart;
Shed Thy life through every part.
A pure temple I would be,
Wholly dedicate to Thee,
