Day 5 — Small Beginnings Still Matter
God in the In-Between
Zechariah 4:6–10
“Is this really enough to make a difference?”
We may ask that when we look at what is in front of us.
A few people willing to help. A conversation that went a little better. A simple idea we have only begun to develop. A small step forward after a long season of standing still.
We are grateful, but we remember when there seemed to be more.
More energy. More resources. More signs that things were moving.
What is happening now can look small beside what we remember—or what we hoped to see.
In Zechariah 4, the temple in Jerusalem was being rebuilt after God’s people returned from exile. We considered its foundation in Day 2. Now we hear God’s encouragement concerning the work ahead.
Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, had a responsibility that must have seemed overwhelming. But the Lord made clear where the power to complete the work would come from:
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.”
The builders still had work to do. Depending on God did not mean putting down their tools. It meant recognizing that human strength and resources could not, by themselves, accomplish what God had promised.
They were not simply pursuing a personal dream. They were carrying out work God had commanded.
The Lord declared that Zerubbabel, whose hands had laid the foundation, would also finish the temple.
Then came this question:
“For who has despised the day of small things?”
What looked unimpressive to some was not beneath God’s attention. The beginning was small, but the Lord had not abandoned the work He had commanded.
This was a specific promise about the rebuilding of the temple. It is not a guarantee that every idea we begin will succeed or that every small effort will eventually become something large.
Depending on the Spirit means following the truth He has revealed, not simply asking Him to bless our preferences.
The temple also belonged to a larger story.
It was the place God had appointed for worship and sacrifices, pointing ahead to the greater work of Jesus Christ. In John 2, Jesus spoke of His own body as the temple. Through His death and resurrection, He opened the way for sinners to come near to God. Those who belong to Christ are now being built together as a dwelling place for God by His Spirit.
God’s work has always been greater than what people could measure by looking at a building.
That challenges the way we measure what matters today.
Do we assume something has little value because few people notice it?
Do we dismiss an opportunity to obey because it does not look impressive?
God is not dependent on the things that make us feel capable. And He does not tell us to measure faithfulness only by visible results.
Jesus teaches His people to serve, love, give, and pray—even when those things happen beyond anyone else’s notice. Through Him, we belong to God by grace, not because we have produced something impressive.
That frees us to serve without needing every effort to prove our worth.
A small beginning might be listening carefully instead of rushing to defend ourselves.
It might be teaching one child, encouraging one weary person, or gathering with a few others to pray.
It might be taking responsibility, asking forgiveness, or quietly keeping a promise.
None of those things guarantees the outcome we want. But when they reflect obedience to Christ, they matter.
We also need wisdom. Something is not automatically good because it is new or small. Our plans still need to be tested by Scripture, considered prayerfully, and adjusted when necessary.
The Spirit helps us understand God’s Word, recognize our sin, and grow in holiness. He points us to Christ and strengthens us to trust, repent, and obey.
In the in-between, we may be tempted to wait until we have more before we do what is already before us.
More certainty.
More help.
More confidence that the effort will be worthwhile.
But we can trust God and obey Him with what we have today. By His Spirit, He enables His people to continue faithfully, and the results remain in His hands.
We do not have to call a small beginning something greater than it is.
We simply do not have to despise an opportunity to be faithful.
Reflection
- What small opportunity to obey Christ have you been tempted to dismiss because it does not look like enough?
- How does depending on God’s Spirit differ from either relying entirely on yourself or doing nothing?
- How does belonging to Christ by grace free you to serve without needing impressive results?
Prayer
Father, You see what we overlook and value faithfulness we may be tempted to dismiss. Forgive us for measuring everything by size, attention, or visible results. Thank You for bringing us near through Christ and making Your people a dwelling place for Your Spirit. Our acceptance before You rests in Jesus, not in what we accomplish. Give us wisdom to test our plans by Your Word and humility to change them when needed. By Your Spirit, help us recognize sin, turn from it, and obey Christ in the opportunities before us. Teach us to serve faithfully and leave the results with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.