“…For who hath despised the day of small things?” Zechariah 4:10
Dear Ones:
It was the manner of John the Baptist’s birth, and manner by which he was named, that those who heard of it would say: “What manner of child shall this be!” (Luke 1:66) Jesus would later say of John, “Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” (Luke 7:28) Why was it that this tiny babe, born to Elizabeth and Zecharias, would become “great,” beyond what everyone could imagine? From before his birth, John was “filled with the Spirit.” The hand of God was upon him. It is true that his mission was a specific one, and his calling unique as “…the voice crying out in the wilderness.” However, that which distinguishes him among all others is the measure of the blessing of God on his life, the very presence and anointing of God. His “beginning” was as a very “small thing,” but by the presence and power of God, he would be called, “….the prophet of the Highest.” His birth was indeed not a day to “despise small things.” So then, how are we to pray for the “small things,” children?
First, it must be seen clearly, that though we will be dealing with babes and young children, the prayers for older children is just as applicable and valid, for all “children” are “young” before God. Just because children grow up, and become older, they in no wise become less of an object of the blessing by God. Let’s begin with Hannah, the mother of Samuel. Here is a woman who has “bitterness of soul.” She is childless, God having shut up her womb. Why? Certainly to meet a basic need in her heart, but also, to instruct us as to His ways. In one of her prayers, she declared herself to be the Lord’s handmaid. She was correct in taking this position. But from that place of “belonging” to Him, she would pour out her heart to her Lord of mercy and grace, for whom all things were possible. What was the lesson that she needed to learn? It was that her WHOLE hope and expectation had to be in Christ, and the resulting glory and honor wholly His. She would, before Samuel was born, consecrate the child unto the Lord. What is most interesting in the life of Samuel as a little boy ministering to Eli the high priest, was that God SPOKE very clearly to him, calling him by his name. Four times did He call his name, with Samuel finally responding: “Speak Lord; for Thy servant hearth.” (1 Sam. 3:9) Here is a little boy communing with the eternal God. He will be a very “small thing” in the hands of a great and mighty God. Samuel would go on to be blessed of God, the Lord establishing him as a prophet of the Lord in the eyes of the people. One very important reason for which Samuel was blessed, which was true also of John the Baptist: “…the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh “…BY THE WORD OF THE LORD.” (3:21) That which would distinguish both of these men, who began small, would be the revelation of God to their individual hearts, by the word of the Lord.
So, how are we to pray? Again, it begins with the disposition of heart, that of being the Lord’s servant, and waiting on Him alone and entirely. Secondly, the prayer has to be specific with respect to the purposes of God: “For this child I prayed…I will consecrate, or give him, to the Lord all the days of his life.” (1:11) Lastly, there is the expectation for the realization of the prayer based on the promises of God: “And ALL thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and GREAT shall be the peace of thy children.” (Isaiah 54:13) With those truths, comes a promise: “Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying, ‘Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jer. 32:26-27) The answer is “no,” “nothing.” The promise is that the faithful, merciful and gracious God, answers prayer, if He can find in our hearts true faith.
Dear Father, teach us how to pray, and not to be deterred because of what we see, or perceive, “the small thing,” or “small possibilities.” Give us grace not only to pray aright with a true heart full of faith, yet submitted wholly to Thee, but to live in the expectation of seeing the “small cloud” on the horizon, which shall develop into wonderful rain, abundant blessing, according to Thy purposes, for Thy glory and honor. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad