Monday

Small beginnings

Zechariah 4:10a NASB

“For who has shown contempt for the day of small things?” 

This message was directed to Zechariah as well as the people of Israel. After captivity, the Israelites went home to Jerusalem to start over. The first command was to rebuild the temple of God. The opposition was great; the materials were meager but hey began the work anyway. The temple was smaller than the original temple and it did not have the magnitude as the first temple, and the people were discouraged. So, the message came from God, “For who has shown contempt for the day of small things?” What was God saying to Israel? Don’t become discouraged that the work is going slow, or that opposition stood in their way. Don’t be discouraged that the temple did not compare to the first temple, this was a new beginning, a fresh start. God, once again wanted Israel to trust in Him.

Sometimes it seems like we are just not getting things done, that we are not making sufficient progress. The answer to that is; do not despise small beginnings, keep going, stop comparing ourselves to others, stop looking at the work of our hands with contempt. Trust God, and keep moving forward.

Prayer:

Lord, wherever we are at in our walk with You, don’t let us be discouraged, or look down on ourselves and ask ourselves what is wrong with us. You are doing a work within us, bless the small beginnings no matter how long it takes to get started. In Your name Lord Jesus, prosper and make happy the work of our hands today, Amen!