DESPISE NOT SMALL THINGS Devotion 7 of 24 THE WORD IS NEEDED! Wherever there is a work for God, there must be a word from God! God sustains His work and the workers through His Word. That is not only how the saved themselves live (Matt 4:4; Lk 4:4), it is how the work of the Lord is maintained. No work of God will flourish in the eyes of the Lord that is not sustained by His Word! AN OBSERVATION For this reason, the preeminent offices in the church are those related to delivering and expounding the Word of God. "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, AFTER THAT miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" (1 Cor 12:28). Again it is written, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (Eph 4:11). Those who accent the gifts that, in their eyes, are more emotional than rational have not seen things correctly. Those who speak the Word of God are said to have "rule" over the people, not by means of delegated authority over them, but because of the life-giving Word they speak to them (Heb 13:7). They lead with their teaching, not with their rules. – 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
"4:8 Moreover the Word of the LORD came to me . . . "
It is a marvelous thing when "the Word of the Lord" comes to anyone. Throughout history, God has expressed Himself in rational ways to men. Thus it is written, "the Word of the Lord came to Abram" (Gen 15:1), "the word of the Lord came unto Nathan" (2 Sam 7:4), and "the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad" (2 Sam 24:11). Also, "the word of the LORD came to Solomon" (1 Kgs 6:11), "the word of the LORD came to Jehu" (1 Kgs 16:1), and "the word of the LORD came to Elijah" (1 Kgs 18:1). Other notables to whom "the Word of the Lord came" include Shemaiah (2 Chron 11:2), Jeremiah (Jer 1:2), Ezekiel (Ezek 1:3), Jonah (Jon 1:1), and Haggai (Hag 2:20), and Zechariah (Zech 7:1). Seven times Jeremiah said, "the word of the Lord came unto me" (1:4,11,13; 13:3,8; 24:4; 32:6). Ezekiel wrote "the word of the Lord came unto me" no less than thirty seven times (3:16; 6:1; 7:1; 11:14; 12:21; 13:1; 14:2; 15:1; 16:1; 17:1,11; 18:1; 20:45; 21:1,8,18; 22:1,17,23; 24:1,15,20; 26:1; 28:11,20; 29:1,17; 30:20; 31:1; 32:1,17; 33:1,23; 34:1; 35:1; 36:16; 38:1)!
In this circumstance we see the forwardness of God to communicate with His people, direct them, and bless them. None of the false gods of this world speak frequently, consistently, or with an aggressiveness to bless the people. This is a Divine quality that, when known, moves believers to press closer to the Lord, know His will more fully, and participate more extensively in His purpose.
You can trace the Divinely recognized works of men, and they were always attended by a word from the Lord! The building of the ark followed a word from God (Gen 6:13). The raising up of a godly seed through Abraham was preceded by revelations from God (Gen 12:1-3; 17:9,15). The work of Moses was inaugurated by a word from God (Ex 3:14-15). The sanctifying of the nation of Israel was attended by a word from God (Ex 19:19-22; 20:1-22). The effective leadership of Gideon was preceded by a word from God (Judges 6:12-16). The building of the first Temple followed a word from the Lord (2 Sam 7:12-13; 1 Kgs 5:5). Acceptable work always begins with a Word from God!
Before Paul began His Apostolic labors, he had a word from God (Acts 22:12-15). The early church was directed by God's word (Acts 13:2). This is the manner of the Kingdom, and it is seen in the text before us.
In our day, men have vaunted what they call practical ministries. Those who have little acquaintance with, or understanding of, the Word of God are placed in prominent positions. They are selected for their social and leadership skills But God has never placed such people in places of prominence – never! His leaders are always bearers of His word and distributors of His wisdom! That is how He works. No Word, no work!
Thus God articulates His Mind before He calls men into holy activity. Before ever a hand is laid to the work of the Lord, there must be some comprehension of His purpose some understanding of His will – a decided awareness of what He has said. There is altogether too much religious activity that has neither been initiated nor maintained by the good Word of the Lord.
It was not so with the work assigned in the time of Zechariah (Ezra 1:1-2). When God determined to initiate the work, he sent a word. Now, when the builders need encouragement, he send another word to His prophets. As it is written, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7, NKJV).
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for Your Word – for the abundance and surety of it. In the name of Jesus, help me to consistently give the highest priority to YOUR Word, and the lowest to that of man.