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6th June 2025
FridayReflection
'Davis Carman'
author of four illustrated children's books
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'God Loves Baby Steps '
A Devotional Based on Zechariah 4:10
"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin."
.... Zechariah 4:10, NLT
Of course, hindsight is twenty-twenty.
You might wish you knew the future before making any big decision in life.
But the fact is that you will always have limited information to work with, which can make navigating complex situations seem daunting, perhaps impossible.
Even after you've made a decision and committed to a course of action, it's easy to grow impatient or nervous at the lack of progress because you're not yet seeing fruit from your labours.
Or maybe you are in fact moving forward but at a much slower pace than you'd like.
Your little baby steps just don't seem to be making a real difference.
In chapter four of Zechariah, the prophet saw a vision of a lampstand that was directly connected to the source of oil - two olive trees.
He was seeing a vision of a time when God's people would be filled with God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit.
Talk about a reliable power source!
But in their present circumstances, in which the Jews were faced with the difficult (and long-term) task of rebuilding the temple from ruins, this promise seemed inconsequential and far off.
Yet Zechariah's vision was meant to encourage the Israelites that a better day was indeed coming and to let them know that God was pleased that work was underway on the temple.
An angel of the Lord told the prophet,
"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin"
.... Zechariah 4:10, NLT
So whatever your circumstances, whatever the kingdom task that looms before you, don't despise today because your initial efforts seem small and insignificant.
God delights to see His work begin. And He promises that He will see the work through to completion
Philippians 1:6
What is your attitude today?
Are you thinking that bigger is always better?
That sooner is always better than later?
Is there a place in your plans for divine delays?
Maybe you know where you want to go and you just want to get on with the program already.
But God is sovereign and holds the future in His hand.
He knows exactly what is best for you, how and where it should come about, and when the ideal time is for accomplishing His will.
So be patient and don't lose hope.
Wait on God. He will take the lid off in His perfect timing; it's not your job to force it.
Take a good look at yourself today in light of the past.
Hopefully, you are spiritually and emotionally more mature today than you were five or ten years ago.
If this is true, it's most likely the result of many small and disciplined steps taken day in and day out.
I pray that when you examine your life a decade from now, you will be encouraged by your growth in character, faith, hope, and love.
><(((°>
This is an edited version.
The full article is avaiable on request
Davis Carman
Davis is the president of Apologia Educational Ministries, the #1 publisher of Creation-based science and Bible curriculum.
He is the author of four illustrated children's books designed to help kids learn a biblical worldview.
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