E-pistle for January 25, 2013
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation January 25, 2013
Who has despised the day of small things?
(Zechariah 4:10)
Dr. Curt Scarborough (written in 1995)
In 1991 at the University of Colorado, 71 men met to pray for our nation and Promise Keepers began.
The next year there were 4,000; then 25,000; and in 1994 they filled six football stadiums with over 400,000 men.
Then in 1966 there was the million man march to Washington, D.C. The adage "Mighty oaks from tiny acorns
grow!" could be illustrated from experiences such as this.
In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus refers to a sower scattering seed. Then He describes the process of its growth: it
sprouts and grows . . . "first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head" . . . the grain ripens and
the harvest is reaped.
The Lord makes the same point in Matthew 13:31,32. In this parable, He illustrates the growth of the kingdom
by calling attention to the tiny mustard seed which grown into a tree large enough for birds to nest in its branches.
The remarkable growth of Promise Keepers is a present day picture of the booming of the early church in the
Book of Acts. From the small group of eleven apostles (1:13) and 120 disciples (1:15), the Lord of the Harvest kept
multiplying believers, He added 3,000 on Pentecost (2:41); they numbered 5,000 within a few days (4:4); then
"increasingly . . . multitudes" (5:14); "multiplied greatly . . . . . . great many priests" (6:7); and on and on!
The principle of small beginnings also applies to personal spiritual development and to useful ministry
performed in the service of the Lord. In Luke 19:17, Jesus commended a faithful servant, "Well done, good servant;
because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities."
Jesus' younger brother, James, wrote of the power of small things. A small bit can guide a horse; a small
rudder can turn a ship; a small match can burn down an entire forest! (James 3:3-6).
Zechariah 4:10 says: "Who has despised the day of small things!"
The Jewish exiles had returned from Babylonian captivity, let by governor, Zerubbabel, and high priest,
Joshua, Jerusalem had been destroyed and the temple leveled. The people began rebuilding. They laid the
foundation of the temple, Then their enemies lied to King Cyrus of Persia about the Jews motivation for the
construction work, and at Cyrus' command, all work ceased.
For 15 years, nothing happened. Zerubbabel and Joshua faced delay, discouragement, and doubt. They
were beaten down by fear, frailty, and frustration. Then God raised up two prophets (Haggai and Zechariah) to encourage
the leaders and the people to begin work again.
Zechariah spoke these words from the Lord: "Not by might nor power, by My Spirit" (4:6). He also warned
"Who despises the day of small things?" In other words, we should admire small beginnings . . . seeing beyond
the present into the future . . . seeing the dream become REALITY.
He said there would be rejoicing at the first little steps of faith toward accomplishing the vision. The plumb
line in Zerubbabel's hand was an act of faith showing he believed that the temple would be erected. He looked at the
plumb line; he saw the perpendicular walls of the building. It was a small thing, a tiny beginning.
Contrast the words "despise" and its opposite "admire." Despise means to look down upon, or hold in
contempt. Admire means to look up to, regard with approval, and affection, to prize highly.
God has a destiny – a Godly purpose – for your ministry and mine. Perhaps you have a vision of what God
wants to accomplish through you. If so, pursue it; if not, seek for it!
Helen Keller, when asked her opinion of life's greatest handicap, replied, "Sight without vision." Vision - -
spiritual perception - - does not come by working it up nor by thinking it up. Vision comes only "by God's Spirit."
What attitudes are held toward small beginnings?
1. Satanic enemies' attitude: furious mocking (Sanballet in Nehemiah 4:2-4)
2. God's attitude: rejoicing - - the "seven eyes" mean that God, himself, rejoices
when He sees that one small step of faith, that holding up the plumb line. Luke
10:21 records that "Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit" over small steps taken in faith.
3. Friends and families' attitude: encouragement, love, hope - - similar to a parent's
reaction to a child's first steps. (Sometimes, however, family and friends respond
to small beginnings with skepticism and discouragement, see Haggai 2:3.)
Optimists see small beginnings and are encouraged; pessimist see small beginnings
and are discouraged.
4. Personal attitude: How do you perceive your own small steps toward spiritual development
and ministry? With faith and confidence because you see beyond the plumb line to the
completed temple? Or with increasing doubt and pessimism because your steps are so
small and your progress so insignificant? Do you admire or despise "small things"?
FreeWay Foundation and Pillsbury College & Seminary - - all had small beginnings. (Probably your
church and its ministries had small beginnings.) A small beginning is merely a step toward fulfilling our
God-given vision to help "equip the equippers." "Come along with us and we will do you good!" (paraphrase)
Numbers 10:29-32.
I hope you have enjoyed this early writing of Dr. Curt Scarborough. I am going to incorporate some of early writings
in the E-pistle for a short time along with a devotional.
Follow the ark
(Joshua 3:1-17)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
Introduction:
Heretofore in the wilderness, God led His people with obvious, visible signs (cloud and pillar of fire).
Now as they prepare to cross the Jordan River, He uses a different method . . . "Follow the Ark."
I. Why Follow the Ark?
1. Because you haven't been this way before, v. 4.
God gives direction
2. Because the river is at flood stage, v. 15.
God guards from danger
3. Because it leads out of the wilderness into the Promised Land.
God guides toward destiny
4. Because it is a new step of faith.
(Red Sea Faith = God acts, then the people move,
Jordan River Faith = People move, the God acts,
God's grace brings deliverance
II. What Does "Follow the Ark" Mean?
(Reference: Hebrews 9:4,5 - - Contents of Ark)
1. Tables of Law: Accent God's Word.
2. Pot of Manna: Appreciate God's Provision.
3. Aaron's Rod that Budded: Acknowledge God's Leader.
4. Mercy Seat Covering: Apply God Grace.
(See Hebrews 4:16; Exodus 25:10-22)
Conclusion: (summary)
As we are entering a new year, we need to "Follow the Ark" because . . .
Specifically and practically, this means we should . . .
"When you talk, you repeat what you already know;
when you listen, you often learn something."
--Jared Sparks
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