Do not despise small things
Content 1. God works through people.
God is omnipotent. He is the one who created the heavens and the earth with words. However, when God does not work in the universe, but in this world we live on, He always works through people. Why does God work on this earth through people? It is because the purpose of creation and the principle of creation is to have people do things through people who are made in God's image. God created us humans in the image of God Himself so that we can conquer and rule the world God created as God's vicarious ruler. Therefore, God is doing the work through me and you today according to the principle of creation.
If you look at today's text, it is the same with the stopped temple construction. “The hand of Zerubbabel has laid the foundation of this temple, and his hand will also finish it” (verse 9a).
He says that Zerubbabel's hand has laid the foundation of this temple, and that hand will also finish it. God also says that Zerubbabel's hand will be used to build the temple that symbolizes His presence. In other words, he is going to build the temple through Zerubbabel, the leader.
According to the Bible, even when our God performs miracles, He performed them through people. When He gave the Law and the Word of Revelation, He also gave it through people. Not only that, when he calls to save his chosen souls, he does it through people.
This is how God works through people. So today, God is looking for people. People look for ways and programs, but God is looking for people after your heart who can do your work on this earth. Today, God prays that people who can save your family, those who can evangelize your workplace, and those who are dying without ever hearing the Gospel will go out and preach the Gospel and build a church in that land. You're looking for someone you want. Our God, who wanted to build the temple through Zerubbabel's hand, wants to do His work through me and you today. I hope that you and I can be used by being held in the hands of God.
2. I will finish with the hand I started.
“The hand of Zerubbabel has laid the foundation of this temple; his hand will also finish it” (verse 9).
Here, the former zone refers to the foundation stone that was already laid when the construction of the temple began. Even with the foundation stone laid, the construction of the temple was stopped due to the interference of the enemies. But God said that because Zerubbabel had set the site for this temple, he would have Zerubbabel complete the construction of the temple. In a nutshell, if you just start over, the temple will be completed.
What kind of God is our God? God is the one who will finish what he has started. God does it once. Why? Because he is a faithful man who keeps his promises. But we can't. How often do you decide to do something and never get it done? Is there any such thing as 'Jaksim Samil'?
Our God is faithful and keeps His promises. Therefore, if the Lord has spoken to us, we must obey. If the Lord has commanded us, we must take the step of faith. Think carefully about this time today. Is there anything the Lord has commanded me to do? Is there anything that seems too big a problem for you to not obey?
Although the problems before us are like a great mountain, if we start with faith and move forward, the Lord will accomplish it. Start now. You will experience the grace of a great mountain becoming a plain. God's zeal will make it happen. If you start with faith, God will finish it. God is Alpha and Omega. You are the first and the last.
3. Do not despise even the smallest things.
“Who is it that despises the day of little things?” (verse 10a) There were those who despised the building of the temple as a day of little things. Compared to the previous Solomon's Temple, the temple that Zerubbabel wanted to build today was really small, shabby, and insignificant. So there were those who despised Zerubbabel's temple construction.
In fact, according to Ezra 3:12, when Zerubbabel started the temple, the old men who saw Solomon's splendid temple mourn for their wretchedness. But God tells us not to despise Zerubbabel's temple. Rather, he says, rejoice when you see that the plumbing is in Zerubbabel's hand! What God considers important is not a matter of great or small. It is not a matter of shabbyness and beauty.
Haggai 2:9 says, “The glory of the latter is greater than the glory of the former.” Does the glory of God exist before it or not? It is more important whether or not the Holy Spirit works. It's not about being big or small or splendid, no matter how grand and splendid it is, if there is no glory of God before that, it's not God's temple.
When Zerubbabel laid out a stone to build the temple, it seemed so trivial. People laughed when Zerubbabel was holding a plumb line in his hand and holding it vertically and horizontally to build the temple. No, they looked down on their situation and looked down on them. But who started it? Who is watching it? Who was watching that small, insignificant thing, that small, shabby-looking history? “The eye of the Lord, which goes throughout the whole world.” His seven eyes were seeing all the work.
We think that only big and splendid things bring joy and glory to God. So there are many times when we lose the preciousness of small things and live. But look at the Bible. God values the little things.
Dear saints,
Does my work today seem small? Does it seem like nothing is going on? Does it look too shabby? Does your church service seem insignificant? Does that new start seem small and shabby? So why don't I hide it because people don't know what I'm doing? But if it is a task God has entrusted to you, if it is an inheritance God has given to you in your life, live proudly. Don't be shy. Because the seven eyes of God are looking at you. Because God is pleased with it. Our God delights in the little things.