Never Despise The "Small Things" (Zech 4)

Never Despise The "Small Things"

Collin Leong. July 28 2015

 Also the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. “For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth.” (Zechariah 4:8-10)

Olive Trees in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem

Zechariah 4 describes the vision of the 7 lamps and 2 olive trees. This is one of 8 night visions Zechariah had. Each vision is filled with powerful and moving truths, relevant to the time of the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon and very much applicable for us today.

This particular vision is very rich too,  speaking of the Renewal work of the Spirit,  just as the previous vision (about High Priest Joshua's dirty garments being exchanged with a clean priestly robe) spoke of the Redemptive work of the Son. The Son gave us our unshakable Position in God's Kingdom, whilst the Spirit gave us an unlimited Potential in doing His will. ("Not by might,  but by my Spirit")

My thoughts are drawn to the phrase "Who despises the day of small things?" (4:10). This probably referred to the Jews who were sad and disappointed with the small temple foundation that was built 16 years ago. Many even cried over it when they remembered how grand the original temple of Solomon was (see Ezra 3:11-12). They soon were discouraged and distracted by other things in life and left the work of the temple stranded for 16 years.

Friends,  what are the "small things"  in our lives that we "despise"  or are disappointed with or think nothing of?  Sometimes we work so hard and see so little results.  We look at our talents and say it's nothing compared to what others can do. "What's the point",  we say, "I can't do any better"  or "people won't change".  And yes you'd be right,  because "not by might, but by My spirit,  sayeth the Lord".

Friends,  tonight I want to pray that everyone (leaders,  fathers,  mothers,  and especially ourself) be lifted up by the Spirit so that what we perc
eive to be "small things"  or small contributions we give to the Lord can be made into a grand temple where all are drawn to Christ.

Yes, Solomon's Temple -  built with silver and gold -  cannot be matched in its Grandeur.   But it was the humble Temple of Zerubabbel -  built by the strength of the Spirit -  that had the honor of the visit by the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do not despise the "small things".

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”  (Zech 4: 6-7)