Devotions/Partners

Proverbs 30:28 (KJV): “The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.”

COMMENTARY: There are few common, everyday creatures that bring as much terror to the hearts of people than spiders. But God created the spider, and in this passage, the spider is given to us as an example of wisdom at work. If you study spider behavior patterns, you will discover that many spiders get into homes when they are young. For example, when you leave your porch light on at night, it attracts moths and other bugs. The bugs attract spiders. The bugs die, and the spiders feed on them and breed. The newly hatched spiders are so tiny that they enter your home through nearby screens and cracks around loose-fitting doors and windows.

APPLICATION: Some employees expect “instant” promotions. They may not take job opportunities or projects they consider to be too trite, insignificant or demeaning based on their talents, education and career goals. But, like the spider in the king’s palace, sometimes God wants you to take the seemingly insignificant, low-level job or project. The Scriptures tell us that if we can be trusted with little, we can be trusted with much.

Years ago, I had a boss who started at the company as a shipping clerk, and retired as CEO and Chairman of the Board. He was like a spider, entering the company through a crack and working his way to the executive suite. Are you willing and content to work your way up the corporate ladder from the bottom up? Are you willing to take on projects no one else wants? Be alert to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Seemingly insignificant opportunities may be what God wants to use to teach you humility, patience, faithfulness and perseverance. One day, like the spider in the king’s palace, He may confound the wise and placed you at the top.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Luke 23:31 (KJV)，read The Passion of Jesus (Luke 22:47-24:53) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.