SMALL BEGINNINGS

"For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth." (Zech 4:10)

In the rebuilding of the temple, things did not start on a grandiose scale. It was a "small" beginning, with little apparent progress. God's people were cast down in spirit, and thought their work would only be the occasion of jesting and derision among their enemies. In Nehemiah's day, the people laborers failed because there was "much rubbish." They reasoned, because of the "small beginning" that their enemies would "come among them, kill them, and put a stop to the work" (Neh 4:10-11). Thus they "despised the day of small things."

Many a soul has succumbed to the same temptation. Because of the seeming smallness of their endeavors for the Lord, their heart has grown faint, and their spirits have been weighed down. Like those early Jews, they imagined their work would be held in derision by their enemies because of its smallness. We must not allow our hearts to be corrupted by such imaginations.

God is able to save "with few," as well as with "many" (1 Sam 14:6). He is handicapped by neither numbers nor small appearances. He can alter the entire Gentile world through a single Apostle. "Despise not the day of small things!" Our Lord can take a small and unimpressive group of people, and fill the earth with the knowledge of the Lord! "Despise not the day of small things!" From a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, He can produce "the King of kings and Lord of lords! " Despise not the day of small things!" He can take lowly fishermen and make dynamic spiritual princes of them! He has used a rod in the hand of Moses, a jawbone in the hand of Samson, and a sling in the hand of David. "Despise not the day of small things!"

What is it that you are doing for the Lord? Does it seem small and unimpressive? Do not despise it! Are you concerned about your work being unrecognized because of its smallness. Do not despise it! A highly structured religious institution may require big beginnings, but God does not! Remember, there was a time in history when God declared "The people who are with you are too many for Me." He reduced the numbers so men would not think they had gained the victory themselves--then gave them a mighty victory (Judges 7:2).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, deliver me from thoughts that exclude the greatness of Your mighty work.

-- MONDAY: A SIGN OF SONSHIP --