Do Not Despise Small Beginnings

I hear people apologetically say things like “We are just a small church, a small ministry, can’t make much of a difference now, but one day when we are bigger, then …” Or “We are just getting started, we aren’t that important right now, but later, when we grow, God will be able to use us then.”

Zerubbabel was the leader of the remnant of Jews that returned to Judah after the Babylonian captivity. He had the overwhelming task to lay the foundation and rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem. There is an interesting message from God to Zerubbabel, given through the prophet Zachariah, that I believe we can learn from.

Zechariah 4:6-8NLT Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 7 Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’” 8 Then another message came to me from the Lord: 9 “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.

This message from God had to be very encouraging to Zerubbabel. To know mountain sized obstacles wouldn’t stand in his way, and not only had God called Zerubbabel to this task, but when he sets the final stone in its place, all the people will rejoice at the completion of the temple. Zerubbabel would lay the foundation of the temple and he would complete the work.

But how will this monumental task of rebuilding the temple be accomplished? Zechariah 4:6 …It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

This great work wasn’t going to be completed in Zerubbabel’s might and strength, but it was going to be by the power of the Holy Spirit working through him Of course, this is true for you and me as well. Apart from the empowering Holy Spirit, we can’t accomplish anything of eternal value.

It’s going to start small. We need to understand that because I know we are all thinking big! Maybe we need to remind ourselves that everything big and great- ministries included, at one time or another was small. It had a small beginning.

Then the Lord, through Zechariah told Zerubbabel… Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10

God is going to complete the temple through Zerubbabel, but don’t despise the small beginnings. Instead, embrace the small beginnings and faithfully carry out the small tasks. It’s going to be beautiful and amazing, but please let’s not fall into the trap of despising small beginnings and thinking the work we have put our hands to is too small and insignificant to make a difference.

Remember if you’re faithful with a little, you will be faithful with a lot.

Luke 16:10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

The Lord Rejoices to See the Work Begin

Zechariah 4:10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”

This is my favorite part of this text. Not only are we not to despise small beginnings, but the Lord rejoices to see the work begin! The people will rejoice at the completion of the work- and they should, but the Lord is rejoicing at the start of the work, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to others.

Jesus celebrates your small steps of faith. Jesus rejoices when you say yes to His call. Jesus celebrates when you begin to do what He has called you to do. Your ministry starts a new outreach or initiative and the Lord rejoices. Your church is small and not many people are showing up yet- the Lord rejoices. Every little faith step you take to complete the work God has called you to brings Jesus great joy!