“For who has despised the day of small things?” Zechariah 4:10
Dear Ones:
Perhaps one of the greatest obstacles to faith, and believing God for the wonderful thing, is the assessment of our very small, and limited resources. We are apt to look within, and around us, take stock of the meagerness of human possibility, and then abandon the endeavor, saying that it is impossible. This is a very real scenario which we all often face. The only factor which can change the whole perspective and outcome is the presence, and intervention of God. An example of this problem, and solution, is found in the writings of Haggai and Zechariah. Both men prophesied at the same time, and with respect to the building of the temple, about the same subject. In the book of Haggai, this second temple which God had called upon the people to build, was met with much opposition from the enemies of Israel. Coupled with this hindering factor was the apparent meagerness of the endeavor, and the comparison of this temple with that of Solomon. From an outward standpoint, there was no comparison. Scripture tells us that this second temple appeared to the builders “as nothing” in comparison. Zechariah addresses the same issue from a slightly different perspective, in asking the question: “For who has despised the day of small things?” (4:10) The endeavor of building this second temple, in the face of opposition, appeared as nothing, and a very small thing, in comparison with what had been built previously. If the consideration of this matter should stop here, the great and wonderful truth of WHY God had commanded the people to rebuild the temple, would be lost…at least, for a time. It is certain that the primary purpose for the temple was to reestablish the right practice of the worship of God. Central to all else in the faith of the Israelites was the temple, that physical structure, which revealed the great truths of worshiping God. But there is another reason. It is that God desired to show that He uses the insignificant things, the lowly things, the things which “are not,” according to the world’s standards, to do the wonderful thing. Not only would the temple be rebuilt, but there would be a promise of God that would accompany the rebuilding: “‘The glory of this latter house shall be GREATER than of the former,’ saith the Lord of hosts: ‘and in this place will I give peace,'” saith the Lord.” (Hag. 2:9)
When David accepted to confront, and fight with Goliath, King Saul sought to put on him his own armor. It was the “logical” and accepted way of combat of that time. However, David could not use these things, as they were too cumbersome to him. He chose instead five smooth stones from a brook, which he put in a shepherd’s bag, along with his sling, and a staff. With these very “small” things, which were despised by Goliath, this young man would run towards his adversary. Why? Because he had a hope that was based on something, or rather Someone, bigger than himself. David had declared to Saul before his confrontation with Goliath: “The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37) God used something insignificant, a stone in a sling, to conquer the enemy’s champion, which resulted in the defeat of an entire army.
In Luke’s gospel, we find a large crowd of people who had come to hear the Lord Jesus teach. They were in a “desert place,” one without the resources of towns, which could supply food and shelter. It is here that Jesus would tell His disciples to give food to the five thousand men assembled. The disciples looked at their meager resources of only five loaves and two fish, and wondered at the impossibility. Jesus would take the “small things,” give thanks, and feed the multitude.
Dear Father, give us grace to look away from ourselves, and our meager resources, when responding to Thy call to serve Thee. Take what we are, and have, that the world may know that You are God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad