Don’t Despise the Day of Small Beginnings

Do not despise these small beginnings for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…

 (Zechariah 4:10 NLT).

The Christmas story is about small beginnings. It revolves around the birth of an infant—one vastly different from any other infant ever born. This infant was the majestic, eternal Son of God. The mighty Lord God became man to fulfill His work of salvation offered to all mankind. A small beginning became God’s greatest work and greatest gift to you and me.

Mighty works of God often begin small. One infant was spared in Egypt, who later led the Israelites out of bondage. A young shepherd was anointed and later became Israel’s greatest king. A small group of disciples began the spreading of the gospel, which has now reached the uttermost parts of the earth. One sermon began the Great Awakening.

After Israel’s Babylonian captivity, one man was called by God to head the rebuilding of the temple. Zerubbabel battled lack of faith within Israel. He also battled enemies who tried to stop God’s work. God’s prophet Zechariah came to Zerubbabel with encouraging words. The mountains (obstacles) would become level ground. In spite of the small beginning, stone by stone God’s work of rebuilding the temple would be completed.  

Perhaps you are viewing God’s call in your life as small. Or perhaps you view His call as a daunting task and all you see is a small beginning. Do not despise small beginnings. Focus instead on the infant Lord and then fast forward to the crucified Savior and risen Lord. The powerful God brought to completion that which He began.

Believe His promise to do the same for you: …being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). In the hands of God, small beginnings become far-reaching, mighty works with an eternal impact.

Lord, no work of yours is small. Fill me and use me to accomplish your eternal work.

  Jan Burkhart