Thursday, September 18, 2008
Proverbs 30:27 Locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks;
THE LOCUST: A LESSON IN UNITY
I have never seen an invasion of locusts in person, but I have read that it is an unbelievable sight. In the Bible, the book of Joel describes one in great detail saying, "A nation has invaded my land, powerful and without number; it has the teeth of a lion, the fangs of a lioness. It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees. It has stripped off their bark and thrown it away, leaving their branches white" (1:6-7). One might also recall the plague of locusts that came upon Egypt in the days of Moses: "They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail -- everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt" (Exodus 10:15).
By itself, the locust is not a formidable obstacle. The size of a large grasshopper, it can be easily crushed under your boot. Yet when they advance together as a huge swarm, they become an unstoppable army even though they are not led by any king.
Neither do we advance alone against the devil. Our God has blessed us with brothers and sisters in Christ, others who share our faith and confession. We have congregations of believers who gather together for worship and to carry out the ministry of Jesus. We have a synod to further gather our congregations into one. Often more can be done together than alone. Scripture recognizes this when it says (Hebrews 10:25): "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Yes, you can study, pray, and be a Christian alone in your living room -- and sometimes that is necessary -- but when you are part of a congregation of like-minded believers, recognize your fellow members as gifts from God. Work together with them and stand firm against Satan, triumphing by the cross.
Through the night of doubt and sorrow
Onward goes the pilgrim band,
Singing songs of expectation,
Marching to the Promised Land.
Clear before us, through the darkness,
Gleams and burns the guiding light.
Brother clasps the hand of brother,
Stepping fearless through the night.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 481:1)
