Despise Not Small Beginnings
Despise Not the Day of Small Beginnings
Zechariah 4:6–10
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts... For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice.” — Zechariah 4:6,10
Sometimes God’s greatest works begin quietly — in small, almost unnoticed ways. The rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel didn’t look impressive. Many compared it to Solomon’s temple and felt discouraged. But God reminded His people that His Spirit, not their strength, would finish what He had started.
We often want instant progress — in our faith, our families, our calling. But spiritual growth is a process, not a performance. Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in very little will also be faithful in much.” The small, consistent steps of obedience we take today — opening our Bible, showing up to serve, forgiving when it’s hard — these are the bricks God uses to build something eternal.
Even in worship, we’re reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit came upon people temporarily. But now, through Jesus, the Spirit lives within us — strengthening, empowering, and transforming us daily. When we sing, “Pour Your Spirit out,” we’re praying for more than a feeling — we’re asking for God’s manifest presence to move among His people and renew His work in our lives.
Dallas Willard once said that our deepest thirsts can never be satisfied by anything in this world — only by God Himself. And Mark Batterson adds, “God can deliver in a day, but you must back up that deliverance with daily habits.” Growth takes time. Freedom takes faithfulness. And faithfulness often looks small at first.
So don’t despise the day of small beginnings. Every prayer whispered in weakness, every act of obedience, every quiet moment of surrender is a seed. God sees it. He honors it. And by His Spirit, He will bring it to completion.
-DSB,
Joey Rumble