Lame Limitations

“The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;” (Pr 30:26 AV)

This is one of four examples the writer gives of creatures that overcome limitations in order to thrive.  The other three are ants, locusts, and spiders.  Each is limited.  Like each of God’s creatures.  Including man.  But these four were created with the means to overcome their limitations.  The coney, also known as the rock hyrax, is a rodent-like animal that inhabits rocky areas of hills and mountains.  These little guys are favorite prey for the leopard, cobra, adder, python, caracal, hawk and owls.  The Verreaux eagle specializes in hunting these little critters.  Like the mongoose, these cute little animals have a system of sentries and signals that protect the group.  What is extremely interesting is the coney of Israel is rarely a prey animal because it has developed a system of sophisticated calls, sentry posts, and refuges which keep the colony safe. They feed in groups and when an alarm is sounded, they scatter for their refuge.  The Hebrew word for a coney, Shaphan, indeed means sentry.   The verse above speaks of the coney’s wisdom revealed in making their homes and places of refuge in the rocks.  The coney can make their home in any type of soil or rock.  Along with their system of security, the fact they can adapt and find shelter no matter where they keep them thriving.

We are all created with limitations.  Some may not have the blessings of impeccable health.  Others may be challenged in the area of social skills.  We all didn’t ace every test we ever took.  Some may have speech issues.  Others may not be able to read as fast.  We are all called to different places in God’s plan and equipped to fulfill God’s will in those areas of service.  What we cannot do is allow our limitations to become our masters.  The writer above is making an example of a little critter who could very well become extinct if it had not developed the sophistication of colony security.  Rather than allow itself to become some bird or snake’s dinner, the colony exercised a group effort to protect the whole.  It recognized its limitations and devised a plan to overcome a threat.  The coney did not stick with only one den.  They dug many holes of refuge in their foraging area.  When the threat comes, they have several options for retreat and protection.  They are not willing to surrender to their limitations.  They overcome them.

The LORD is our strength.  The LORD has given us wisdom.  He is not going to create all men to be an everyman.  We must rely on others.  We must devise the means, by His word and wisdom, to overcome our limitations.  This is a positive application of wisdom.  I didn’t fall asleep in science class!  I learned the lesson of the lever.  One fine day I was changing a tire.  The lug nuts were on so tight I couldn’t budge them.  Retrieving an eight-foot brass tubing that was three inches in diameter, I placed in on the end of the tire iron.  What would no budge less than a foot from the nut turned easily from the end of that pipe.  My strength was mu limitation.  The wise seek ways to overcome those limitations.  We complain way too soon.  “I can’t do it.  It’s too hard.”  How many times have we said that?  The writer is telling us the above excuse is no excuse at all!  If the little coney can overcome his limitations to thrive in a harsh environment, why cannot we?  God has given us His word.  He has given us the ministry of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  If we are controlled by our limitations, we are saying our God is not big enough to lead us in overcoming them.