Small Victories

“For who hath despised the day of small things?”

Zechariah 4:10

The book of Zechariah is God’s message for His people during a time of discouragement. I’m sure Zerubbabel’s group of exiles returning to the promised land began their trip in joyful anticipation. They likely set out with a feeling that God was about to do something big for Israel at last. But once they got there, the daily struggle to survive in the crumbled ruins of Jerusalem and the seemingly overwhelming task of rebuilding the temple wore away their certainty.

Even the laying of the foundation of the new temple must have served as a source of discouragement for some, because we are told in Ezra 3:12 that those who had seen the first temple wept at the sight of the new temple’s foundations, even while others were shouting with joy. And if that wasn’t enough, the opposition of the surrounding peoples intensified.

“Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.” (Ezra 4:4-5)

With all this opposition, the people were getting discouraged, and so was their leader. But God wasn’t done. He told Zachariah to tell Zerubbabel,

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)

Then He gave a more general message:

“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” (vv.9-10)

The plummet mentioned here is something God talks about earlier in the chapter. If you’re curious what that’s about, go look it up. :)

The main point is that God is promising success, not only of the building project, but of their leader as well. He holds out certainty in the midst of discouraging circumstances by giving a glimpse at the sure victory to come.

It’s the same for you and me, really. You may have begun the new year with all kinds of hopeful goals, expectations, and aspirations. But by now, the dailyness of life has likely sapped your energy and your enthusiasm is waning. If that’s you, remember that God has promised us a sure and certain victory as we walk in His Spirit!

In our impatience to accomplish big things, let’s remember that God doesn’t despise or look down upon the small victories. Let’s lift our eyes to Him and rejoice in each day, even when it turns out to be a day of small things.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57