Addison Ant and other members of his colony twittered with worry. They hadn’t been able to collect enough food for winter due to a summer drought. How could they possibly survive?
“I have an idea,” Addison announced to the ant council. “Let’s ask Farmer Ezra to help! He harvested his winter wheat before the drought began. Perhaps he’ll donate a bit to us .”
Addison instinctively brushed his right antennae with a foreleg and looked expectantly at the group. Some were shaking their heads.
“He doesn’t care about us,” countered one.
“Sure he does,” replied Addison. “Farmer Ezra could have destroyed us by now if he’d wanted, but he hasn’t.” Addison paused. “So who will go with me?”
No one answered.
“Then I’ll go by myself,” he declared.
Late that afternoon, Addison marched up the hill toward the farmhouse, about an hour away. He arrived just as Farmer Ezra returned from milking his cows. Taking a deep breath, Addison shouted as loudly as he could. “Kind sir! Kind sir!”
Farmer Ezra looked about for the source of the small voice. His eyes finally rested on an ant whose whole body was a-quiver. He’d never witnessed such behavior. Farmer Ezra bent down to investigate.
And now that Addison had the farmer’s attention, he began to deliver the speech he’d prepared while walking.
“Please, sir. I’ve come from the ant colony in the southeast corner of the pasture. You may have noticed we never approach your house or cause mischief as other ants do.
“But I have come today because we’ve been unable to gather enough seeds during the drought to carry us through the winter. If you could spare us a few handfuls of wheat grains, then we can survive until spring. I beg you, sir!”
Farmer Ezra heard the desperation in the little ant’s voice. His eyes drifted to the fields where weeks earlier acres and acres of wheat had flourished.
Even after a semi had taken 20,000 tons of wheat to the train, his personal supply of wheatberries was plentiful. He wouldn’t even miss a few handfuls.
Farmer Ezra smiled down upon the ant. “All right. I will help you,” he replied. “Tomorrow morning when I take the cows to pasture, I’ll bring a small sack of wheat for your colony. Then you and your friends can transport the berries down into your tunnels.”
“Oh, kind sir!” Addison Ant’s antennae danced with glee. “I cannot thank you enough. Never will we forget your compassion!”
* * *
No doubt you can guess that Addison typifies us— minute (compared to God), needy, and often helpless.
Farmer Ezra[1] represents our Heavenly Father: all-sufficient, capable, and compassionate.
Note in the verse above the psalmist did not say God will immediately deliver. Though his help frequently comes in the moment, as it did for Addison Ant, sometimes we have to wait [2].
Ah! But even then God provides help–building our confidence, strengthening our faith, and granting peace–as we:
Hope in his promises.
Promises such as Isaiah 41:13:
I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV (emphasis added)
Other promises worthy of contemplation include: Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 41:10, and Hebrews 4:16.
Embrace God’s truth.
Like Addison and his fellow ants, we are insufficient in ourselves. But with King David we can affirm:
When King David wrote that verse, he was a hunted man. Yet he didn’t question God’s help, he affirmed and embraced it. We’d do well to do the same.
Lean on God’s record of faithfulness.
Consider how God has proven himself throughout our lives—in his provision, protection, and direction.
Review his help in the past and experience joy.
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3 NIV
Pray with confidence.
We can pray as King Asa did:
And so, even while we wait for help, God provides help as we:
- H ope in his promises
- E mbrace his truth
- L ean on his record of faithfulness
- P ray with confidence in his all-sufficiency
Addison Ant would also have us remember: whatever our trouble, it is minuscule compared to God’s power and resources!
Notes:
[1] Ezra in Hebrew means help, support, assistance, aid, either human or divine
[2] A previous post explores the topic of waiting on God: https://nancyaruegg.com/2021/07/22/are-we-there-yet/
Sources:
Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning, 18.
https://dtermination.com/what-do-ants-do-in-the-winter
Photo credits: http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.freerangestock.com (falkenpost); http://www.flickr.com (Jason and Kris Carter); http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.pexels.com (Valentin Antonucci); http://www.pexels.com (Simon Berger).
I love this story of Addison ant! It is one I will remember. It captures our smallness and God’s abundance wonderfully.
The inspiration for Addison came from a devotional by Charles Spurgeon, in Morning by Morning. His two sentences about an ant asking for help sparked my imagination. It was great fun to write; I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Amen 🙏🏽. Love this.
Thank you, Manu. Praise God for his inspiration!
How utterly patient and faithful, our good provider, redeemer, and ever-more lover of our souls! Like sipping from a country well on a warm day, friend. Thank you!
And thank you, Laurie. It does refresh the mind and spirit to contemplate our Father’s glorious attributes, and how he applies them in our lives!
Children would love the tale of puny little Addison Ant. Another moral of this story is even though sometimes you work rally hard, you may still have to ask for help. 🙂
I’ll have to read about Addison Ant to our granddaughters–see what they think! And I love that you discovered another lesson in the story, Nancy. Thank you!
I love this story–and the lesson about God. Very Encouraging to me!! (I like all your visuals too!) :)
It warms my heart that you loved the story, Katie, and found encouragement here. As for the visuals, I enjoy finding appropriate illustrations when I can, or putting together images of my own over at Canva.com. I’m so glad you like them!
Oh–thanks for mentioning Canva.com I had never heard of that website. Blessings to you!!
Love the story of Addison Ant. 🐜 At times, I need to remember the power that found in prayer
So glad you enjoyed the story of Addison Ant, Brenda! We ALL do well to remember the power found in prayer. What a privilege God Almighty has given us–to come into his presence any time and share whatever is on our hearts! Then he actually answers those prayers, in light of his perfect wisdom and foreknowledge! Hallelujah!
amen !
How I loved this story and the lesson little Addison teaches us through it, Nancy. It reminds me that whatever we need, our generous and loving Father will provide for us. May we earnestly pray and expect deliverance from God.
Blessings, Nancy!
Thank you, Martha. We know from experience how wonderful God is, don’t we, always working, always blessing. Generous and loving indeed!
Excellent post! This was a very good story…God always provides for His children. We must trust His divine guidance in all things as He knows our hearts and our needs as no one else does.
Amen, Linda–so much comfort in those truths right there!
you are so gifted in story telling!!
Aw, thank you Jean!
Such a nice parable on trust!
Thank you, Linda. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful story and so true of us human kind. If it takes a lifetime I’ll learn to completely trust the ONE who loves me best.
I’m right with you, R.H.–improving, but still learning to trust implicitly!
This is so good, Nancy! I love the persistence of ants and your story makes it even more meaningful on a spiritual level that we all need. It reminds me of Psalm 116:2: ”Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” Amen!!
Oh my goodness Patty–what a perfect verse to accompany this story! Thank you for adding it to the conversation.
I’ve heard something like this before and it never ceases to amaze me how thorough God is with delivering His message to His people in ways we can understand it. He’s so generous and kind! Thanks for sharing this in such a way to remind each of us of His promised help and compassion for us–no matter what.
Perhaps you’ve heard read aloud Charles Spurgeon’s devotional from Morning by Morning, p. 18. His two sentences about an ant asking for help sparked my imagination!
That very well could be. I really love your parable, though–it speaks to God’s kindness and grace in every situation with His beloveds.
Thank you, Dayle!
Easter blessings to you and yours, dear one …
Thank you, Linda. Indeed, He is risen!!
Psalm 46:1 – “The Lord is my refuge and strength…” Also, Psalm 121 has me hearing Laura Story’s “I Lift My Eyes”; such a beautiful, powerful hymn. Her lyrics speak perfectly to your message today. As does Addison Ant! He and his colony would make for a wonderful children’s book (hint, hint)
Oh my. That Laura Story song is stunningly beautiful, the lyrics so powerful and uplifting as she reviews (with much scripture) the ways God provides help for us. Thank you very much for mentioning it. Thank you also for the hint-hint about a children’s book. I’ll have to give that some thought!!
Laura Story is better known for “Blessings” and “Mighty to Save” but I think “I Lift My Eyes” is worthy of “hymn” status. It’s included on her beautiful Christmas album, “God With Us”.
Yes–I know those other two songs of Laura’s, but not the one you recommended. Also didn’t know she’d recorded a Christmas album. Might have to add that one to our collection. Thanks Dave!
Nancy,
Very fitting. Why would God listen to little creatures but He does. The great thing is that He ia already anticipating the call for help. In Christ, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Thank you for adding that extra bit of encouragement, Gary. SO true! “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24)!
Beautiful story illustrating God’s generosity, love, and how He meets our needs at the best time He determines for us. We should wait, and wait patiently. Once again, the Lord has reminded me that He holds my right hand as we journey through a troubled world and challenging personal times. A very HELPful post, Nancy!
Praising God with you, Cheri, for his guiding, supportive right hand. So glad you found this post HELPful! 😊
May you, Steve, and your family have a Blessed Easter!
Thank you, Cheri. I pray the same for you and yours!