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Proverbs 6:6-8 - The Marvels and Wonders of Gods Second Book.

Proverbs 6:6-8 (NLT) Take a lesson from the 
ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and 
become wise! 7 Though they have no prince or 
governor or ruler to make them work, 8 they labor 
hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

Go to the Ant
   God is a masterful Creator. He has 
integrated many of His principles into the fabric of 
nature so that we can see His handiwork and learn 
of Him (Ps. 19:1-6). If you desire to acquire 
wisdom, do not neglect to look outdoors for His 
lessons. 
   Now, of course, the outdoors sometimes 
comes inside. If youve ever battled ants in 
your kitchen or pantry, wisdom probably isnt 
the first trait you would attribute to them - 
you probably would choose a description more 
like determination. But to the lazy person, God 
points out these tiny creatures as an example of 
wise living. Simply consider how many 
characteristics of the ant people would be smart to adopt: 
preparation, cooperation, perseverance, diligence, unity, 
and the list goes on. So interacting with 
righteous men isnt the only way to acquire wisdom. 
God also wants us to observe the lowly ant that 
He created to work in community. 
   Theres much to learn from the created 
world. By directing attention to the birds, Jesus 
challenges His followers to consider the folly of 
anxiety (Matt. 6:26). Birds do not reap or gather 
grain but rather assume their food will be 
supplied as it always has been. The lesson in this 
observation of nature is that the Lord who provides for 
birds can be trusted to meet His peoples needs 
as well. 
   Our quest for wisdom is to be rooted in 
Scripture and covered in prayer. But dont overlook 
the many lessons unfolding right outside the 
front door. Ask God for eyes to see (Mark 
8:18). Then take every chance to grow in 
understanding so your capacity to live by His principles 
will be strengthened. [In Touch Daily Devotional 
by Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org] 

COMMENTARY

   The heavens declare the glory of God; the 
skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after 
day they pour forth speech; night after night 
they display knowledge. Psalm 19:1, 2 (NIV) 
   We are surrounded by fantastic displays 
of Gods craftsmanship"the heavens give 
dramatic evidence of his existence, his power, his 
love, his care. To say that the universe happened 
by chance is absurd. Its design, intricacy, and 
orderliness point to a personally involved Creator. As 
you look at Gods handiwork in nature and the 
heavens, thank him for such magnificent beauty and 
the truth it reveals about the Creator. [Life 
Application SB] 

Artists are known by their art; musicians 
are known by their music. Likewise, God can be 
known by the universe he created. Psalm 19:1 tells 
us that the heavens declare his glory and the 
skies proclaim his work. The apostle Paul notes 
that "since the creation of the world God's 
invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine 
nature - have been clearly seen, being understood 
from what has been made" (Romans 1:20). So what 
can we know of God from his creation? He is 
immensely powerful, extravagantly generous and 
brilliantly inventive. And he has an amazing flair for 
beauty. [NIV Once A Day Bible] 

A good way to commune with God"as this 
psalm tells us"is through nature. Take time to 
enjoy God's gift of creation. Walk in the woods; 
listen to the water rushing in a stream; look at 
the stars and moon; smell The flowers. Slow down 
and take time to hear what nature tells us about 
God. Drive through the country, in the mountains, 
or take some scenic route. Watch for sunsets 
and sunrises and beautiful cloud formations, and 
on rainy days, look for those rainbows. 
Experience the power and fury of a thunderstorm. Watch 
the birds and animals, and enjoy the beautiful 
world our Father created for us. "Barbara 
Stephens  [Life Recovery Devotional SB] 

   For ever since the world was created, 
people have seen the earth and sky. Through 
everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible 
qualities"his eternal power and divine nature. So they 
have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1:20 
(NLT) 
   Looking at nature, we learn about God's 
invisible attributes - his magnificence, his 
intelligence, his eternal power that is enormous enough to 
put massive stars in place. We learn about God's 
divine nature. We sense that there is a God who is 
higher than the visible world. Whenever we look at 
the wisdom and beauty of creation and honestly 
search our hearts, we can know God is there. And at 
that point, we have a choice: Will we seek him? 
When we do seek him, he promises that we will 
find him. [NIV Once A Day Bible re Rom. 1:18-20] 

ILLUSTRATIONS

   Last night I looked up at a clear, 
high-altitude Colorado sky and was taken aback. My Father 
placed every one of those stars in the sky and then 
called them all by name! And that is just the 
beginning of our Father's handiwork. Beyond the Milky 
Way, there are many more galaxies, too many to 
count, all created and placed by our Father's hand. 
 
   It makes me wonder what there could be in 
my life today, next week, or ever that is too 
big for my Father in heaven to handle. The great 
God who set the stars in place surely wouldn't 
have any trouble with the complications in my 
life. 
   As I look up, I am amazed that the one 
who did all this loves me. I will never 
understand what he saw in my beaten-down, messed-up 
life. But I happily accept the mystery of it all. 
He has chosen me to be his child. He has 
redeemed me with the precious blood of his one, 
sinless Son, Jesus. He has invited me to lay all my 
troubles at his feet. Words cannot express my 
gratitude. I am completely starstruck! 
   Father, thank you for creating me in your 
own image, demonstrating that you care for me 
more than you care for all the stars in the 
heavens. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery 
Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker] 

   I was walking out to my car and there it 
was - a sky filled with starlight and all the 
brilliant color of the universe. I just stood there 
and took it all in. What an amazingly creative 
God we serve. I realize how easy it is to get 
wrapped up in life and overlook his beauty all 
around us. Its so important to slow down and 
experience his greatness for a few moments each day.  
   We should ask ourselves, what are those 
things that take our breath away? For me it is 
watching my grandkids play, seeing my family pray and 
laugh together, and listening to my Celebrate 
Recovery brothers and sisters share their latest 
victories.  
   I continue to be amazed by my changed 
heart that has the ability to see even adversity 
as a gift, to love and appreciate all that the 
Lord's given me, to see the value in the smallest 
things in my life, and especially to cherish the 
moment when I see a turning point in the life of a 
friend that will lead to healing and freedom.  
   God's presence in our lives gives us 
heightened awareness of his greatness. Let's take a 
deep breath and drink it in.  
   Almighty God, your greatness is beyond my 
ability to comprehend. Thank you for being a big God 
in my life. More than I could ever need. In 
Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily 
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker] 

   In his poverty, Nicolas Herman enlisted 
in the army to earn a living and fought in the 
Thirty Years' War. One winter during his term of 
service, he came upon a barren tree. Because it was 
winter, the tree had no leaves and no fruit, but in 
the spring it would be resurrected and flourish 
again. As Herman stared at the tree, he grasped the 
gospel with unusual clarity. He realized the 
enormity of God's grace and the certainty of 
resurrection. And feeling barren like the tree, Herman 
knew he could look forward to the change of 
seasons that would bring fruitfulness to his life. 
God's providence would grant him life.  
   Perhaps not many people come to Christ 
based on a visual picture in nature, but the 
message was clear enough for Herman to see the 
gospel story: death, resurrection, and the 
sovereignty of God. He was profoundly changed. After his 
military service, he joined a monastery as a 
low-ranking servant and took the name Lawrence of the 
Resurrection. We know him today as Brother Lawrence, a man 
who practiced the presence of God so profoundly 
that even cardinals and bishops came to listen to 
his wisdom.  
   Some people dismiss the idea that God 
might speak through nature, but Paul was right 
about God's invisible attributes being clearly 
visible in the things He has made. His creation is 
His expression, so naturally He can speak 
through it. Nature is full of parables of God's 
story and His purposes, and discerning eyes can 
discover them: caterpillars, cocoons, and 
butterflies; rainbows; water falling from heaven to 
produce fruit; seed sprouting differently according 
to the soil it falls in; and many more. Ask 
Him. He'll show you a multitude of messages in 
the things He has made.  
   Lord, give me eyes to see Your parables 
and promises in the beauty and intricacies of 
Your creation. Your glory really does cover the 
earth. Speak to me through what You have made. [The 
One Year Hearing His Voice Devotional by Chris 
Tiegreen] 

   A man says the view from Looking Glass 
Falls helped save his life. 
   Winter created sights you could dream 
about, while the rushing water provides sounds you 
could fall asleep to. 
   Its real soothing. It is, Dan 
Dry said, who came from Haywood County. 
   Under the sun, the ice melts and 
refreezes into something otherworldly. 
   Even in the bitter cold, its 
beautiful, Dry said. 
   People came from all over to take 
pictures, hoping to capture a lasting memory. 
   Dry already has his.
   I have a photo of her standing right 
here, he said. 
   Dry showed us a picture of his daughter 
Jaden at Looking Glass from 2008. It was taken 
during a visit. 
   When you lose your only child, it 
changes your life forever, youre never the same 
person, Dry said. 
   Jaden died in 2010 in a car accident. She 
was 17. 
   You question everything when something 
like that hits, you really do, its just so 
hard, Dry said. 
   After his daughters death, Dry 
wasnt sure he wanted to keep living. A year ago he 
moved to Western Carolina from Louisiana. Looking 
Glass is his happy place. 
   We moved here, because we have nothing 
but good memories up here, Dry said. 
   The views once provided Dry with a 
revelation. To him, they are a reminder of Gods 
existence, which he questioned after Jadens death. 
   Youre just so angry when something 
like that happens, and now I look back, Im 
grateful for the 17 years I had with her, Dry 
said. 
   His photographs dont have negatives, 
only proof. 
   What an amazing thing God has done 
with this planet, Dry said while looking at 
the waterfall. 
   He comes here searching for joy without 
Jaden. 
   Its still a journey that I still 
travel every day without her, Dry said. 
   Dry says he is sharing his story because 
he wants people in grief to have an outlet. 
   He has also started a bereavement support 
group at the Maggie Valley United Methodist Church 
called Hearts for Bereaved. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZXKv0pBzyg 

CLOSING THOUGHT

I love to think of nature as an unlimited 
broadcasting system, through which God speaks to us every 
hour, if we will only tune in.  [George Washington 
Carver] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC

Psalm 19:1, 2 - The Heavens Declare the 
Glory of God. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170411-1019.html 

Romans 1:18-20 - The Revelation of God in 
Creation. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150719-1023.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor: 
https://www.revelationnow.com/ 

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: 
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657