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May 10 Daily Devotional

Small Things

Frans Bakker

For who hath despised the day of small things? —Zechariah 4:10

Bible Reading

Zechariah 4:8–10

Devotional

The prophet Zechariah spoke a word in due season. The people of Israel had recently returned from exile. The temple had been destroyed and now a new temple needed to be built. But the people had no means to do this. It was a very dark time for the people of Israel. They had no idea where they could get the building material for this temple. They did not have the means to begin, let alone to finish this project.

In those days, there were those who laughed about these plans of the Jews. When the lines were drawn on the earth to mark the circumference of the future temple, they mocked. When the foundations were laid, they wondered how the building would ever be constructed. They said it was impossible, but the Lord said, “Who hath despised the day of small things?”

What does the expression “the day of small things” mean? It means that a foundation had been laid that was insignificant in the sight of men. Zechariah’s words were an appeal to the people to trust in the Lord. God had led them to commence this project and He would lead them to complete the temple. These small beginnings, these small things, were a calling of God to trust in Him.

You must understand that the people expected much from power and from might. But the Lord said, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6). The people were to see that their God magnifies Himself by means of little, insignificant things.

We find this truth in the realm of nature. Look at the mighty roaring waves and the violence of the sea. The waves stay at the shore. God stops this violence by means of tiny grains of sand. Even the greatest power in nature is caused by diffusion of atoms. Tiny little atoms produce great power! Little things direct God’s world.

The same is also true in spiritual matters. The Lord is able give a single word that can supply great comfort. In man’s pride he expects help from great things. But God uses little things and works them together for the good of His people. Blessed are those who experience God in small things. God glorifies Himself by means of the smallest matters. The more grace a person has, the more he recognizes these small things.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.

 

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