I am reading in Zechariah this month for devotions since I am teaching Old Testament Prophets. I must admit, I rarely turn to read Zechariah and I cannot remember when I have taught or preached from it. But I must say, this book is loaded with powerful thoughts for 21st century disciples!
Today, I read that great verse, “It is not by force, nor by strength, but buy my Spirit says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6, NLT).” A very inspiring verse in a very strange context. I am a long way from understanding why the interpretation of Zechariah’s vision flows from what he saw.
But that is very much like my life: I rarely understand God’s logic. Right in the middle of a big mess, God blesses me. When I sense that my need is one thing, God gives me something else . . .and I am strangely satisfied.
However, the dynamite verse is 4:10 “Do not despise small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” We often despise small beginnings; we would much rather see glorious endings. But God calls us to transfer the excitement of the large and glorious into the small and insignificant.
When verse 6 and verse 10 are put together, I hear this message: “God is excited to our first small steps of faith. Once we take our first baby steps of faith, God can release his Spirit, which does all the important anyway.
I have been both excited and disappointed this week by the progress of my business, Transitional Leadership Center. The business/ministry has taken several small steps, but it is a long way from my vision for it, and a long way from supplying my financial needs the way I think it should.
Then God says, “Mark, don’t worry about small beginnings. You have no idea of what I can do with small beginnings. Hang on and be amazed.”