DESPISE NOT SMALL THINGS Devotion 1 of 24 Beginnings are generally preceded by challenging circumstances an environment that demands newness and freshness. Darkness, ignorance, chaos, and death are a summons for light, understanding, Divine order and spiritual life. Their existence reveals a need for a new beginning a fresh start. "Reformation," as ordinarily used, is not the Divine manner. Transformation is more consistently used by God. One aspect of transformation is beginning – a new beginning, fresh start, or a new creation. – Tomorrow:
"Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth." Zechariah 4:8-10, NKJV
Before the creation "the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep" (Gen 1:2). Before the earth's new beginning in the days of Noah, "the earth was filled with violence," and a global flood destroyed all but eight souls (Gen 6:11; 7:21). Before the beginning of God's dealing with Abraham, God had disrupted the prideful building of Babel and "scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth" (Gen 11:8). Before Israel's new beginning, the Egyptians "made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigor" (Ex 1:14). Prior to the beginning of Gideon's prominence, Israel was oppressed by the Midianites, and there were no miracles (Judges 6:13). Before Daniel rose to prominence in the Babylonian empire, Israel was ravaged by Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel was taken captive as a young boy (Dan 1:3-6). Beginnings are always preceded by challenging, and sometimes seemingly hopeless, circumstances.
Prior to the birth of the Lord Jesus, humanity "sat in darkness" and "in the region of the shadow of death" (Matt 4:16). Before Jesus entered into His ministry, He was "led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil" (Luke 4:1-2). Before He ascended into heaven, He "descended first into the lower parts of the earth" (Eph 4:9). Before the beginning of Pentecost, the disciples were faint and discouraged because of the death of their Master (John 21:3). Before our new creation in Christ Jesus, we were "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1). Before the new beginning of the resurrection, "it is appointed unto man once to die" (Heb 9:27). Beginnings are always preceded by seemingly challenging circumstances.
In our time, there are some challenging circumstances that call for a new beginning. There are unprecedented natural and social disruptions. A social instability exists that is alarming. There is deadness in the professed church, and confusion and enmity among those who wear the name of Christ. Multitudes of saints are suffering from a lack of exposure to the truth of God. Their hearts are faint, and they lack the "full assurance of faith" (Heb 10:22). Everlasting consolation and good hope, freely given in Christ Jesus (2 Thess 2:16), are not at all common in the churches. An eager expectation of the return of the Lord is at an undesirable level. It is time for a new beginning.
We are ripe for a fresh move of God, a new outbreak of spiritual life. We have been inundated with the world's wisdom disguised as spiritual understanding. A compelling hunger and thirst for righteousness are not apparent on any significant scale. Professed Christians appear satisfied with shallow pulpit presentations, learned academic disquisitions, and frothy entertainment. In a day when Divine power is sorely needed, men choose to debate about its relevance and possibility. The Lord Jesus Christ has taken a back seat to church government, family needs, and pleasure.
This series of devotions will explore and expound what the Spirit has said about beginnings – what they are, why they are needed, and how effective they are.
PRAYER POINT: Father, when I am in fellowship with You, and Your truth is burning in my heart, I detest any staleness or coldness in my life. In the name of Jesus, I seek for grace to have a fresh beginning in any area of my life that has grown monotonous.