120. Small Things Not To Be Despised.

For who hath despised the day of small things? - Zechariah 4:10.

GREAT numbers of persons do despise "the day of small things."

If they were wise, they would not do so; for it is not wise to despise anything, and to despise a thing because it is small is great folly.

A small thing may be greatly good, or terribly evil; and in neither case would it be prudent to despise it.

It is usually God's way to begin his great works with a day of small things-

· Thus it is seen that there is nothing in the means themselves.

· Thus the divine power is more fully displayed.

· Thus faith is exercised, and made to learn many lessons.

Why should men despise what God ordains?

Who are those persons who dare act thus contemptuously? They are not entitled to give themselves such airs: yet they dare to do so.

They show their contempt in various ways.

· They affect pity for such feebleness (Neh. 4:2).

· They decry, and find fault (1 Sam. 17:28).

· They sneer, and ridicule (Matt. 8:5; Acts 17:18).

· They leave alone, with silent neglect (Acts 5:8).

It is a sad pity when this contempt is poured upon a beginner in grace, for it may cause him sad distress and discouragement.

Our object at this time is to reprove those who despise the earlier and weaker works of grace in the soul. True it is "the day of small things;' but this is to be rejoiced in, and is not to be despised.

Let us commune with—

I. THOSE WHO DESPISE OTHERS WHO ARE IN THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS.

1. Do you not know that there are babes in grace, and that these are true children of God? Do you doubt that evident fact?

2. Were you not once such little ones yourselves? If you never were, who are you to despise your betters?

3. Were not the greatest of the saints once very feeble? Would you have acted thus to them?

4. May not the strong be glad at times to be as sure of salvation as these little ones? Why despise those whom you may yet envy?5. Does not our Lord care tenderly for the lambs? (Isa. 40:11).

6. Has He not threatened all proud despisers? (Matt. 18:6).

Who then dares despise the day of small things?

Who are those who are so wicked? They are the proud, the ignorant, the thoughtless, the unfeeling, the profane, and such like.

II. THOSE WHO DESPISE THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS IN THEMSELVES.

l. They will frequently fail to notice and nurture thoughts and feelings which would lead them to Christ.

2. They cannot believe that salvation can come by ordinary means, or through their present knowledge end emotions: these are too small in their esteem, they crave for signs and wonders.

3. Therefore they endeavor to kill their own thoughtfulness at its birth, and quench the spark of desire before it can become a flame. Yet these despised things might have led on to salvation.

4. If they would nurture their weak desires, and feeble resolves, and faint beliefs, and trembling hopes, good would come of them.

5. No doubt many think ill of their own condition when God thinks well of them. They judge that little faith, and little life, and little strength are useless; but the Lord thinks not so.

It is wise to look away, both from small things and great things, to Jesus. Let us see his day, and be glad (John 8:56).

Let us trust in his finished work, and rejoice in his continued work. "Rejoice, and see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel" (see context).

III. THOSE WHO DO NOT DESPISE THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS.

l. Hopeful pastors. We are looking out for gracious signs, and are more apt to be misled by our sanguine hopes than to fall into the opposite fault of despising the day of small things.

2. Anxious parents. They long to see buds of grace in their children. The smallest signs of spiritual life would charm them.

3. Wise soul-winners. They rejoice to see "first the blade."

4. Jesus himself. He loves the little ones (Mark 10:14).

Come ye to him, all ye trembling souls!