Big Lessons from Little Things

I've never been to Texas, but I hear everything there is big. A group of us once went to a Christian concert at one of the largest churches in the city. One of the sisters said that the churches back in Texas were even larger than this particular church, which by our understanding was one of the bigger ones in our city. We as a culture have a fascination in size, that is the size of our houses, our stadiums, our bank accounts. Small things just are not impressive. In fact, they seem insignificant. 
"You and I are too impressed with size. If something is small and quiet, we have the idea that it is unimportant; but if it is big and noisy, then it must be important. But God doesn't measure life the way we do. The big things don't always impress Him. In fact, some of the little things in the Bible teach big lessons.
The prophet Zechariah asked an interesting question one day: "For who hath despised the day of small things?" (Zech. 4:10). He was trying to encourage the nation as they were rebuilding their temple and having a difficult time. The budget was low, the morale even lowe; and it looked like the job would never be finished. The people were discouraged because the whole project seemed so small--it just wasn't the temple it used to be." (p. 113)
This rebuilding of the temple in comparson to the one Solomon built must have been difficult both from a financial standpoint as well as a motivational standpoint. Solomon's temple was huge and the budget was limitless. Imagine trying to rebuild something that was a wonder back in its day or trying to step into the shoes of a great leader to continue their ministry. It's hard.
"We had better be careful not to despise small things! After all, we got our start in this world as babies, totally dependent on others. When God wanted to deliver His people from Egypt, He didn't send an army--He sent a baby to a Jewish family, and years later, Moses led his people out of bondage. When the nation had sunk into spiritual and political defeat, God sent a boy named Samuel who one day led the nation back into greatness. And when God wanted to deliver mankind from sin, He sent another baby: Jesus Christ came as a baby that He might one day die for us on the cross.
God uses small things to accomplish great purposes. He used Moses' rod to defeat the armies of Egypt. He used David's sling to overcome the giant Goliath. Gideon and his three hundred soldiers used pitchers and torches to slaughter the huge army of the Midianites. Rahab tied a piece of red rope out of her window, and it saved her family. A lad brought a few loaves and fishes to Jesus, and He used them to feed thousands. Never despise the small things, because God can use them to accomplish great things." (p. 114)
We find here many instances when God uses seemingly insignificant people and things to accomplish His purposes. Moses, David, and Jesus, at their start did not appear impressive. After all, Moses was nearly murdered upon his birth, David was the youngest of eight children and practically ignored, and Jesus, born in a barn to poor parents. We would never be impressed by modern-day Davids. What strikes me the most from this list is the lad who gave up his lunch so that thousands had food. His name is not even mentioned. I am not even sure if he agreed to give up his lunch.
"I think, for example, of what Mary of Bethany did for Jesus. Shortly before His death on the cross, Jesus and His disciples were having supper at the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus. Mary came into the room with a jar of expensive perfume, and she poured it out on Jesus' feet as a loving act of worship. Nobody outside that house knew what she did. In fact, some inside the house criticized her for doing it. But Jesus defended her and made an amazing statement: "Wherever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she has done shall be spoken of for a memorial to her" (Mark 14:9). This one act of worship had worldwide effects!
Whatever is done in love for Christ will have power and influence for all eternity. The widow" brought to the temple just two mites, worth less than an American penny; yet Jesus said she gave more than all the rich people put together, and her act of worship has been a blessing to people around the world for many centuries. No sincere act of worship or service is overlooked by God. Men may despise small things, but God encourages them; it is in the small things that a person's faithfulness is really seen. Many people would have no problem participating in a big event in public; but how many are willing to serve God and worship Him in the little place where nobody is watching?
The Christian who can't be trusted with the small things can never be trusted with the big things! Jesus tells us that if we are faithful in that which is least, we will also be faithful in that which is greatest. To Him, the least is the greatest because it leads to the greatest. All of which means that you and I had better examine our values and our priorities lest we be found despising the day of small things." (p. 115).
I think often about the widow who gave out of her poverty. The text records who the rich put in a lot and when they did so tradition says the container and the money would make a particular loud noise which would highlight who gave how much. Yet, here is the poor widow who seems insignificant to anyone at the time and yet noticed and praised by Jesus. This illustration and the example of Mary are recorded for generations to hear about. While the widow was unnoticed, Mary was criticized for what she did since the perfume was costly. Acts of worship and service can even sometimes be criticized by others, and so when we serve, whether large or small, our focus and master must be Jesus.
"When D. L. Moody started his little meetings in England, nobody dreamed they would turn into a tremendous force for God that moved two continents, and eventually touched the whole world. Men have a way of despising what is small, so be careful not to follow the ideas of men. Get your values from God.
Not all works are going to be big in the eyes of men and be known around the world. But that's not the important thing. The important thing is that we do our work well so that it will be big in the eyes of God. As those feeble Jews tried to rebuild their temple, their work looked pitifully small; but it was God's work just the same. And that temple would one day see the Son of God standing in its courts, healing the sick, forgiving sinners, and teaching the multitudes. Never despise the day of small things. It is in the small things that God can work and bless; and the small things prepare for the bigger things.
No work is small if it is God's work. No gift is small if it is given in faith and love. No act of sedce is small if it is done to the glory of Christ. Don't go around comparing yourself with others. Let God do the measuring and the weighing. He measures for eternity--and that is what really counts.
Prayer:
Fahter, thank You for the examples of Godly men and women who never gave up even when their task seemed impossible or when the task seem so small. My dad and I attend a rather small church, less than 30 people. We wonder sometimes if You can use such a church to accomplish Your purposes. Our Sunday school class today had five people including myself and my dad. When I was in Davis, our Sunday school ranged from 40-60. We are so preoccupied with size and worldly success sometimes that we lose Your perspective. I think for me, I get discouraged when I don't see results right away. Father, teach me to see success through Your eyes and to remain faithful to You and trust You with the results.