Discipleship Encouragement and Correction, Doctrinal Teachings, Uncategorized
For They Shall Rejoice and See
The angel of the Lord asked this of Zechariah after the Jews returned to Jerusalem from their captivity and they were encouraged to rebuild the temple. Compared to Solomon’s temple, which was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, the temple that they were asked to build, however, would not even be a pittance of its past glory and beauty. Many were discouraged; possibly resenting themselves for what led them to that place. Theirs was a glorious past; the wealth and accomplishment of their nation was their testimony and victory… Solomon’s temple was a reflection of God’s goodness, but also through its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, a remembrance of their sin.
How often is it that we despise the small things in our lives. Maybe we look back and see what was; what we thought should have been so much better but it didn’t turn out that way. Today? Same, old; same old; small things that we are told not to sweat but we do. Some may even hate their lives and think of themselves as small… unloved; insignificant. For years held captive by poor choices, resentments, disappointments; while living in sin under the rule of the prince of the power of the air and in darkness, all were mired there. Yet, let me say that the salvation of a single soul is no small thing, but it is a still small voice that calls us. It takes only a particle of grace to bring faith into bloom. What begins as small then grows. As our Lord said, “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.” (Luke 13:19) Even so, it is the Spirit who plants, waters and nourishes us out of God’s store and Christ’s riches, but He does so in small things: a day spent in peace and rest; a sin defeated that once ruled us; a song brought to our hearts and sung with joy; a prayer answered for someone you care for; a baby’s smile, or a neighbor who asks, ‘what is it about you? You are different.’ Small things all… coming from a humble and grateful heart even for the least of things.
Consider this too: Was it a small thing when the disciples gathered in the upper room after their Lord died? What was to become of them? What of that mustard seed? Are we not for them the leaves that centuries later bloomed in the crown of the tree? Yes, I would say. I would also say that what germinates in us today is no small thing, especially considering what the angel had to say after asking the question “For who hath despised the day of small things?” He went on to say, ” for they shall rejoice, and shall see ….”
