Nurturing the Small Things of God

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men" (Matthew 2:16)


We live in a fast-paced world, where we expect things to come into fruition quickly - whether it be business or personal. Church endeavours can also be a part of this, when we desire that things start off 'big' so as to impact as many people as possible. We believe that by doing God's work, He will immediately cause our project to expand in order to achieve His will, and if this does not happen, many of us become disheartened and begin to question His hand in our project. But does God always think 'big'?

The birth of Jesus is a beautiful example of waiting for something incredible to come into fruition. Our God came to us as a baby, an infant, capable of doing very little until His time. Like any infant, He required nurturing and patience - He was like the 'seed' of our godly pursuits, that needs to be brought to maturity in order to bring Glory to God. The works of God often begin with the 'small.' We so often get frustrated because we desire to do so much for God, yet we fail to understand that He often begins things 'small' and these things are built to greatness, through Him. Jesus is God made flesh yet, initially, as a child, He seemed so 'unproductive' - until of course, His ministry began and this once-small child proved to be the greatest gift Mankind has ever been given. We must not think little of that which starts small, it is the mustard seed, the faith, which will bring great Glory to the Lord. It requires care and development, but God will use what He has begun through you! "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phillipians 1:6).

It is so easy to dismiss these small things, these projects we engage in to bring Glory to His Name, thinking that is it were of God, He would make it prosper immediately. The society in which we live is one that is modeled purposefully by Satan, the ruler of this world. He has created a way of thinking in which the small things are unimportant, and only the big things are considered to be of any real worth. But this is not how God sees it. God is patient, knowing that that which is small can grow into the most incredible thing!

However, Satan also knows this. Look to the passage of this devotional - Herod slew all the children in order to destroy Jesus. Satan knows that small things can mature into greatness and proclaim God's Word, and he will do anything he can to stop these things in their infancy. This is how he works - attempting to put a halt to godly projects and godly men and women, before they can achieve what God plans for them. He restricts the proclamation of Truth at any cost. We must remain faithful to His Plan, knowing that sometimes the small things will ripen into the most precious fruit on the Vine that is our God. we must remain vigilant, lest Satan fool us into believing our direction is inconsequential or of our own making (for God will close doors to that which is not His Will). When we come before Him in honesty, asking Him to direct our paths, He will provide us the way to serve Him in accordance with our gifts and talents and predispositions - but Satan will try and take those things away from us. We must remain aware, through prayer and dedication to His Word, of His Will and Purpose. The small things are seeds that God provides us to water and nurture, so that they may grow into Truth and provide many with His sustenance.

Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu Melekh haOlam (Blessed be the L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe)

In Christ’s Love and Service,

Sister Rebecca Mihail, OIC Minister from the Australian Outback