DESPISE NOT SMALL THINGS Devotion 24 of 24 We are well into a new millennium – one it seems began only yesterday. Even though considerable time has elapsed, it is still possible for spiritual newness to be experienced by all of us. It will not be something that can be put into the lifeless molds of religious tradition. It is ever true, "Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved" (Matt 9:17). The freshness of Divine life cannot be contained in old "church ways" and manners. Just as eight hour work days were abandoned in the building of the Temple, so "religion as usual" must be abandoned when fresh things from God are being received. -- 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
Newness of life interrupts the flesh, and the flesh does not like it. Flesh, particularly religious flesh (which is the worst of all flesh), likes old wineskins – old lifeless and unproductive manners that can easily do without God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It is not hard to find people who speak more about the church than about its Head Jesus Christ. There are even those who spend more time explaining man and his ways than his Creator and His ways. I once had a debate with a well known man from a conservative church who affirmed the Holy Spirit does not personally reside in the believer. He was clinging to the old wineskins.
However, newness of life cannot be contained in old wineskins! When the glory of God has dawned upon the soul of a person, and the greatness of salvation registers with power on his spirit, he is not apt to be content with one 15-30 minute message a week, or brief and infrequent meetings of the saints. Such a thirst for the Word of God will be found in such an individual, that he will object to hearing motivation speeches, learned disquisitions about a religious movement, and philosophical philandering. If found in the average church of America, such a person stands out like the former lame man who went walking and leaping through the temple. Old wineskins of tradition will not be able to contain such a person.
Here in Joplin, the meetings of The word of Truth Fellowship are longer and more frequent than most religious gatherings. Some have objected to their length, and chosen to go where meetings are more brief, and less thought is required. We have chosen to avoid such concessions because we know that is not how God works. He does not adapt His truth and ways to a generation, but brings that generation into conformity with His truth and ways. We acknowledge we have a "small beginning," but we have chosen not to despise it, for we have seen God in it. We believe this is something God has started, and we are anticipating Him bringing it to completion.
I admonish you to put your hand on the plow, and live with a sense of holy expectancy. Do not be caught up in the spirit of the times, or give yourselves to lifeless religious forms and the worldly analysis of Scripture. Get involved in the work of the Lord, like the builders of Zerubbabel's time. Work with both the sword and the trowel, warding off enemies and building the walls like those of Nehemiah's day. Capitalize on the truth you have seen, and believe God is going to do something with it!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me to see the potential and sureness of everything You begin – then give me grace to be a part of it.
-- Monday, New Series: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SONSHIP