https://odb.org/2026/02/06/small-beginnings
Zechariah 4:1–10 (NIV): 4 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. 2 He asked me, “What do you see?”
I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. 3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”
4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied. 6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. 7 “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ” 8 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. 10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
In 1848, engineer Charles Ellet Jr. puzzled over how to begin the process of constructing the first bridge over the Niagara Falls gorge. How would they get a cable across the river? Prompted by a dream, Charles decided to host a kite-flying contest. American teenager Homan Walsh won five dollars when his kite landed on the American side of the river. Homan’s kite string was secured to a tree and used to pull a light cord back across the river, then progressively heavier cords until heavy wire cable was in place. This was the small beginning of the construction of the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge.
The bridge’s challenges and inauspicious beginnings mirror those faced by those working to rebuild God’s temple after returning from captivity in Babylon. Some of those who’d seen the temple in its previous glory were fearful that the rebuilt version would pale in comparison (Ezra 3:12). The angel encouraged Zechariah that they shouldn’t “despise the day of small things” because God would “rejoice” in seeing the work begun (Zechariah 4:10) (Kirsten Holmberg, Our Daily Bread 6th February 2026).
In the Old Testament, it is the rebuilding of the Temple during Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s time that those who had seen the Temple in its previous Solomon glory were sad that the rebuilt Temple would never measure up like the old. That was the undeniable truth and yet the LORD through an angel encouraged Zechariah that they shouldn’t despise the day of small things because God would “rejoice” in seeing the work begun. David when chosen to be the next King of Israel after Saul was still a young budding lad in his youth but grew up to be the King who led Israel into most victorious battles. Even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, identified as being of the glorious House of David.
In the Gospels, Jesus emphasised the power of small things when he took a few loaves of bread and fishes and multiplied them to feed first the 5,000 and then in another instance, the 4,000. In both instances leaving behind baskets full of leftovers. The spiritual principle remained that God uses whatever little we have to achieve much. Thus, do not look down on the little we may have. Give our all to God and let Him turn our “small things” into something spectacular over time. Perhaps we may not live to see the day but because it is God working in our midst, it will surely become something powerful and enormous in time to come. Look at the tough and small beginnings of the Way during the time of the Acts of the Apostles and look at where we are now as Christians. Indeed out of Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the world. Out of the Aramaic and Hebrew speaking Jewish world to the Greek world of Paul of Tausarus to Rome and the ends of the earth.
Even this blog have grown from single paragraphs of encouragement via WhatsApp only, to 5 to 6 paragraphs of exaltation to greet its recipients as they wake up in the morning. I try to write every work day so that we are always reminded of God and His goodness and blessings upon our lives and we continue walking in the faith.
When God calls us to do something, respond in whatever way we can first. The big decision can come another day even far into the future. As we respond, the Lord will prepare, mould and mature us. Every great work of God starts from humble beginnings. Make that start! Indeed, don’t despise the day of small things! For the Lord would rejoice in seeing the work begin! Amen!
Ronnie's Thoughts 