We live in a day when judgment is made regarding the success by the size of accomplishment albeit in numbers, income, or accomplishments. In reality, man has always had a tendency to look up to achievements and look down on what is smaller, as if the smaller were insignificant. Wait a minute! What does God say about such judgment?
Zechariah 4:10 (KJV) — 10 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.
Who hath despised the day of small things?
In the day of Zechariah, the prophet, the project of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem was taking place. The foundation was laid for this massive project and there was great rejoicing on one hand, but a spirit of despair and discontentment on the other hand as the people compared this temple with what was there before. In addition, there seemed to be a massive mountain of discouragement in the people losing interest in the temple project as they felt they had enough on their plate dealing with resettling after being away in captivity. In addition, there was opposition which seemed larger than life. Facing the vast mountain of discouragement, God came to His prophet Zechariah and showed him a vision of a great candlestick that shed light upon the situation from God’s point of view.
- God provides the power and help and one should not rely upon the arm of flesh or numbers of man to get the job done.
- God reminds the people, particularly the leaders, that the mountain before them that looks insurmountable will become flat in their eyes.
- Their leader Zerubbabel, who started the project, will finish it.
- The resounding theme upon finishing it will be glory to God and His unmerited favor.
Zechariah 4:6–10 (ESV) — 6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ ” 8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.”
Who hath despised the day of small things? Watch out, you might be missing what God is doing in your life.
Too many times we get discouraged over the size of what we see compared to our expectations resulting in discouragement instead of gratitude in contentment for what God has provided. Think about the times that you prayed for a specific thing but in waiting and maybe grumbling about not getting those things for which you sought from God, you missed enjoying His sustaining grace, His encouragement in His word, and in the specific words of encouragement from other believers who faced similar situations and God saw them through. Consider the “small thing” of sustaining grace and power in weakness that was experienced by the apostle Paul when he prayed to be relieved of the thorn in the flesh.
2 Corinthians 12:7–9 (ESV) — 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Who hath despised the day of small things? Watch out, you might be missing the blessing of the intimacy of a church where everybody not only knows your name but following the pattern in the New Testament – where you are known, cared for, and made a part of the body of Christ.
Too often churches are judged by the typical worldly consumer mentality that says big is better, but there are many benefits to a church the world would call “small.” Notice what Jesus said to the disciples concerning comparison.
Luke 12:32 (ESV) — 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
We must realize the church began as a little flock in Jerusalem with the 11 disciples after the resurrection and the departure of Judas. From the eleven there were 120 who met in prayer in the upper room. On the day of Pentecost there were added 3 thousand and on it grew to the place where it was said that Jerusalem was filled with the doctrine. As the church spread through the world, there always has been little flocks of faithful people as well as larger congregations. The test should always be (rather than size and programs) faithfulness to the Word of God and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the dependency upon God as seen and heard in prayer, the high place of the sacraments, and adherence to Biblical church discipline.
When it comes to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ – faithfulness equals success. The church is judged not in results that man notices such as numbers in attendance, programs, or financial gain, but rather on faithfulness.
Who hath despised the day of small things? Maybe if we have, it’s an indication we don’t consider things as God does. He says in the passage in Zechariah that those who despised the small things would find rejoicing as they take notice of the hand of God working among them. In other words, God granted them repentance from looking down on the blessings they had previously despised and as they repented, they found a good reason to rejoice in what God was doing. Good lesson to take to heart! Don’t miss out on the small blessings by always thinking there should be more.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
