I have been eagerly waiting to preach from this passage for 26 years! In the spring of 1993 I visited Westminster Theological Seminary and heard Ray Dillard give a lecture in the Prophets class on this passage. Ray Dillard died the following fall, so this was the only lecture I ever heard from him. Perhaps that is why it stuck with me!
After giving a brilliant exposition of these chapters, Ray stopped, and looked at the young men sitting before him and said: βDo you know what these words mean? βDo not despise the day of small things β of small beginnings.' Most of you will be pastors of small churches. You will be tempted β like Zerubbabel β to wonder whether all the effort is worth it! Your whole ministry could be devoted to small, struggling churches β and during your lifetime, you may never see anything more. But do not despise the day of small things β the day of small beginnings.β
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts!
Whether planting a church in Elkhart β rehabbing a house in South Bend β whether in parenting, or in business β whatever you do β wherever you go β your confidence is not in your great ability β your wisdom, your power, your connections or wealth β but in the Spirit of our God! |
