Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT
This verse is pulled from a vision Zechariah was given about the Temple rebuilding project. Israel was back in the land after captivity in Babylon and rebuilding the Temple was essential not only to re-establishing the worship of Jehovah, but also their identity as a people.
The task seemed impossible. Opposition was fierce. The older folks knew it would never hold a candle to Solomon’s Temple. There were plenty of reasons to abandon the undertaking. But there was one extremely important reason to keep going.
Obedience to God.
As we consider the work that lies before us, the kingdom work God has called us to do, it’s easy for discouragement to set in. We hear a constant soundtrack of negatives. I’m just one person. I don’t know much. I’ve never done anything like this. I’m not sure this is going to work. I’m not seeing a lot of progress. I feel like a failure. I’m not sure it’s worth the effort.
Or maybe we question our call in the first place. I’m just a mom. I’m just a kid. I’ve made too many mistakes. I’m too old. I’m too young. I’ve never done this before.
Don’t despise, don’t be discouraged by these small beginnings. It’s not about the “small.” It’s about the “beginning.” Zechariah said, “The LORD rejoices to see the work begin.”
Read that again. The LORD rejoices.
–When you pour yourself into raising your kids to love and honor God, the LORD rejoices.
–When you commit to investing in that one person in the office nobody likes, the LORD rejoices.
–When you make time for a cup of coffee with that neighbor who never seems to be outside anymore, the LORD rejoices.
–When you pull that Sunday school lesson together to give those little boys something to remember, the LORD rejoices.
Small beginnings? Perhaps. A great work? No question.
